Jinan districts ease communication between residents, lawmakers

Residents in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, have been given easier access to legislators and are asking them to help solve problems, thanks to the establishment of grassroots-level stations and an online platform.

The Standing Committee of the People's Congress in Jinan's Jiyang district, which is the local legislative body, had set up 29 such stations by the end of June, providing more convenience for people who want to seek out legislators to help them with difficulties.

Sun Liangcai, head of the district's legislature, said those sites serve as a bridge between residents and deputies to the congress, adding that the addition of the sites also further motivates deputies to perform their duties.

The legislature requires the deputies to use the sites to hold receptions or meetings with residents once a month, collecting the people's suggestions on legislative affairs and learning about their problems. Deputies need to inform residents of the gatherings in advance by posting notices.

Many complaints residents have shared at the stations have been related to their livelihoods, including problems with poor roads in villages, issues with charging electronic bicycles in subdistricts and the lack of parking spaces in communities, according to the legislature.

Deputies have collected the residents' suggestions and concerns and have shared them with the appropriate government agencies, the legislature said, adding that residents will receive feedback after the problems have been solved.

Meanwhile, the Standing Committee of the People's Congress in Jinan's Lixia district has launched an online platform to better connect residents with their lawmakers.

Instead of visiting deputies' offices, district residents can contact them by scanning a code on the legislature's WeChat account. In addition, deputies can also use the platform to share their ideas on regional development.

The district's legislature said that it has solicited more than 150 suggestions from the public and deputies via the platform, which has contributed to solving problems such as the need for renovations at old communities and for home-based care for the elderly.