Wen's online dialogue not just PR exercise

• Source: Global Times
• [22:29 March 03 2010]
• Comments

Wen also brought up his family during the talks, mentioning his mother's worries and the cerebral hemorrhage she suffered after he had a shoe thrown at him during a speech in Cambridge.

When answering questions, Wen did so from the point of view of ordinary people, not just from the perspective of a senior official.

One of China's fundamental problems is a lack of public trust. More Chinese officials should follow Wen's example and reach out to the people.

Rebuilding credibility requires solving problems, and the "People First" slogan is just one step on a long march. Rampant corruption has failed many officials, who once vowed solemnly to serve the people.

Thus, poor implementation brought a lack of credibility, which greatly increases the cost of governance.

Over the past 30 years, Chinese feelings for their leaders have gone from blind love to cordial acquaintance.

Mao Zedong's personality cult once overwhelmed national intelligence, but with Deng Xiaoping's shift in governance, a new style of leadership was established.

Western media shouldn't be overly cynical about Chinese government efforts. It has to be admitted that the public force of Chinese netizens is gradually and quietly changing the direction of China.

With the rise of Chinese civil society, this force has become a powerful magnetic field of public opinions.

To solve detailed and complicated problems in China, we need practical steps, a positive attitude and open communication with the public.

The author is the chief editor of the Summary of Press program on Phoenix TV. linghuhanfeng@ hotmail.com