Northwest China's Chongqing municipality recently passed a new bylaw which says officials are exempted from responsibility for mistakes if they are made within certain legal procedures.

An article in the Beijing News says this move should be warmly welcomed as it would help local officials take bolder steps in promoting innovation in market supervision, land transfer and other affairs.

However, the article went on to say that tolerance for genuine mistakes alone is not enough to promote economic and social progress. A more thorough policy research should be undertaken prior to any major decision to prevent or reduce malpractice in the pursuit of innovation.

Acording to the article, a democratic, open and transparent decision-making mechanism should be set up. Every major decision should be open to public discussion and monitoring before it is implemented.

The article concluded that tolerance toward unintentional mistakes by officials in their pursuit of innovation should be based on an open and transparent policy-making mechanism.