Netizens' suggestions gain heft in report

Ninety-three provisions of Premier Li Keqiang's annual Government Work Report answered the concerns of netizens who offered more than 180,000 suggestions in an online poll, officials said on Thursday.

Both numbers were double those of last year, when the first such poll was conducted to solicit grassroots opinions and help shape decision-making of the central government.

The website of the central government, gov.cn, conducted the poll-titled" I have a question for the premier"-to gauge the issues that concerned netizens the most.

In addition, 10 traditional and new media outlets, including chinadaily.com.cn, participated to collect messages and suggestions from readers and followers. As of March 15, Internet users offered 183,427 suggestions-1,503 of which were compiled in 10 books and submitted to leaders of the State Council, China's Cabinet.

As a result of last year's inaugural poll, 46 provisions that addressed 79,307 suggestions from Internet users were in the 2015 Government Work Report. The doubling of the numbers this year indicates more enthusiastic participation of Internet users in China and 26 other countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and Singapore.

Each year, the Government Work Report lists accomplishments made over the past year and sets targets for the nation for the new year, in particular economic indicators and improvement of people's livelihood.

Experts said the collecting of suggestions reflected the willingness and openness of the central government to listen to grassroots concerns.

For example, Internet users disclosed difficulties in obtaining annual holidays and told of embarrassing experiences of being forced to shop during tourism trips.

The 2016 Government Work Report required all governmental departments and companies to implement the policy of annual holidays with payment, Liu said.

The report also stipulated that the tourism market should be strictly regulated to prevent forced shopping.