 The Chinese government has been trying to improve its working style and method to better meet the new situation. A recent move to forbid some government activities in Chinese northern seaside attraction Beidaihe is a clear symbol.
Beidaihe was once a seaside resort. But since early 1950s, it became the so called “summer capital” for the central government leaders stayed here for some time in the summer holding meeting or receiving foreign VIP guests. Even some of the significant decisions in the history of modern China were made here. But this year, an order from the central government will call an end to it and return its face of an ordinary seaside attraction.
Located 280 kilometers east of Beijing, the capital of China, Beidaihe is noted for its beautiful seaside scenery and cozy environment in summer. In previous years, however, there was not such a bustling picture along the seashore where ordinary tourists could swim and take a sunbath care-freely. The reason is that Beidaihe carried much more political meaning than just a resort. To some degree, it embodied sort of privilege exclusively owned by Chinese government officials.
Professor Yi Jiexiong from Peking University says: ”In many places of China, various kinds of meetings and conferences were held in tourist attraction. Among them a great number could be called travel rather than meetings. Some government officials’ behaviors of eating and drinking extravagantly, receiving souvenirs and so on cut themselves off from the mass people who dislike such an official style.”
Since 1953, Beidaihe was made the working place for the central government. Along the seaside road, many buildings and compounds were seen with guarding soldiers, some were even sealed off. But there are some changes this year.
Yi Jiexiong says:”The new central leadership took a series of measures to materialize their promises of serving the Party, the public and the people whole-heartedly. And the mass people feel quite encouraged by it. For instance, during the 16th CPC National Congress, senior government officials were forbidden to ride a car to go to the Great People’s Hall. Instead, they took bus as other delegates did. When their buses reached a cross, they had to wait the traffic light to turn green. Although this was petty thing, the mass people were deeply moved. Later, some senior officials visited the former site of the second plenary session of the 7th CPC National Congress and recalled the “two must” principle issued by Chairman Mao. All these educated and encouraged the mass people a lot and made them feel more confident and optimistic about our future.”
In mid July, a news report said that the central government had decided not to work in Beidaihe any longer from this summer. This report drew great attention from both home and abroad, for it means that the so-called “summer capital” will officially come to an end this year. Right after the order from the central government, a district in Chengdu city in south-western China took the first practical step in carrying out the principle of forbidding official meetings held in tourist attraction. The Jinjiang district initiated the procedure of selling some of the sanitoriums and training centers owned by the district government.
Deputy Head of Jinjiang District Yang Ying explains:”Recently, we began to openly sell some sanitoriums and training centers located in Jinjiang District’s scenic places. The fund raised through the sale will be used in the practical services for our citizens. Meanwhile, we’re exploiting a way to reinforce the social welfare and assistance system.”
After the district government’s decision, the once noisy sanitoriums and training centers now take on a different look. They are so quiet that people are likely to forget the groups of government officials thronging here to enjoying an extravagant meeting or conference. The gate of the main dining hall has been locked for some time, while the sound of yesterday seems to resonate in the empty hall.
Yang Ying says: ”From several years of practical management, we feel that the sanitoriums and training centers served mainly the various activities organized by the local government and its different departments. Given the change of situation, our government should make some adjustment in devoting the limited fiscal power for the practical services for the mass people.”
That the government footed the bill for extravagant eating and drinking helped nurture a bad style in the governments at different levels. At the same time, a great amount of money and resources were consumed just for the pleasure of government officials who should have served whole-heartedly the mass people instead of abusing their power. Despite the previous government orders in this regard, such kind of behaviors were still rampant around the country. This time, however, some practical measures have been taken to prevent the official corruption. Some of the sanitoriums and training centers are closed down. The once noteworthy board carrying the names of this sanitorium or that training center also lied down against the wall.
Yang also says:”From the very beginning, some government officials had a different opinion on the matter. Through education and persuasion, nearly all the working staff in different departments now agreed to offer their support for the decision to sell some sanitoriums and training centers owned by the government.”
In China, the administrations at different levels are called the people’s government. It embodies a solemn promise to serve the people. It also means that the government officials enjoy no privilege at all in all aspects. The Jinjiang district government is trying to materialize the promise in its daily work. In many departments of the district government, a few attractive big words are imbedded in the wall. This is the slogan written by the late Chairman Mao, which is read as “Serving the people”. It has been the guideline of the Chinese government since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. More than half a century passed, it should be added with new meanings.
Yang explains: ”We should put into consideration the principle of market economy, the changes in government’s functioning as well as the need to set up public financial system to review and renovate our past working method and guideline. It is necessary to make adjustment to meet current situation.”
In Jinjiang district, the government allocated a large amount of money to upgrade its modern business street and a lot other civil facilities. Many ancient buildings with hundreds or even thousands of years’ history also receive proper protection. The pollution disposal of the Jinjiang River brings fresh air and better natural environment for all the citizens. All of the deeds attribute a lot to the reasonable public financial system set up by the district government. The goal is for sure--to better serve the people
To meet the changes in both economic and social sectors, the governments at different levels in keep replacing the not so suitable working style and method with modern way of management and operation. The central government’s order to stop working in Beidaihe can be regarded a milestone in its endeavors to improve the efficiency and integrity of the government bodies. And for sure, this kind of reform will continue in the future.
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