China Strengthens Social Governance with New Rules Barring Arbitrary Cross-Provincial Appeals

(CNA, reporter Zhang Shuling, Beijing, July 1) Starting today, China is implementing new regulations for petitioning (appeals, petitions), requiring citizens to present relevant documents before they can appeal across provinces or to higher levels at the State Petitioning Bureau or central ministries. The new rules also mandate that local relevant departments must accept public petitions to resolve issues locally as much as possible.

The China State Petitioning Bureau recently released the "Measures for Further Standardizing the Registration of Public Visits" (commonly known as the "Nine New Petitioning Regulations") on its official website. It states that these measures were formulated according to the "Regulations on Petitioning Work" and will be implemented from July 1 of this year.

According to the new regulations, petitioners must submit their requests in writing or online. If using the "visit" method, they should go to the designated reception location set up by the competent authority at their own or the next higher level.

The new regulations also require competent authorities and units to provide written notification of receipt and processing procedures within 15 days of receiving a petition, and to issue written replies in a standardized manner within the specified period. Petition departments at all levels must also follow up on the entire process of acceptance and handling.

The most notable aspect of the new regulations is Article 4: For citizens visiting Beijing to go to the State Petitioning Bureau and relevant central ministries and units, bypassing the competent authorities at their own or the next higher level, they must present written materials such as notices and replies issued by the provincial-level authorities regarding their petition. Otherwise, petitioners will be guided to return to their locality.

Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly mentioned the "Fengqiao Experience" in the new era, borrowing from the historical experience of mobilizing grassroots citizens for mutual surveillance and reporting in the 1960s. The aim is to strengthen social governance and achieve the effect of "resolving conflicts locally and preventing them from escalating."

This morning, the CCP celebrated its 105th anniversary, and Xi Jinping presented the quinquennial "July 1st Medal." Among the 8 recipients of the medal this year, two individuals are engaged in conflict resolution at the grassroots level. Wu Yaqin, Party Secretary of a community in Jilin, spoke on behalf of the recipients. It is reported that she has practiced the "Fengqiao Experience" in the new era, mediating over 1,000 disputes of various kinds. (Editor: Lu Jiarong) 1150701

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