Recently, the telephone numbers of Kunming municipal government officials were publicized in a local paper and soon became hot items to be secured by the local public. It is assumed to be a drive to infuse more transparency into the local governance and to build more trust and communication between the leadership and the local citizens.

Let's have a look at what the media has to say on this.

Reporter:

"The Yanzhao Metro Daily" posted an article calling this move a design for the base of democracy. The author believes that it might not fulfill the grandiose objective with one strike, but will initiate the imagination of the common citizens. The lack of dialogue between government officials and ordinary people has been acknowledged as a social problem. It led to this special edition of the newspaper, which was much sought-after. To publicize government officials' numbers to the public can be a prelude to establishing a more effective and structured way to promote democracy. As for doubts about the potential trouble that this will bring, the author thinks it is an organic part of public office, and as such, civil servants should serve their people and solve their difficulties.

"The Modern Express" carried an article asserting that it is too early to pass a judgment on this move. The author doesn't think publicizing the telephone numbers will bring too much transparency into the work of the officials. It is a good start but needs more efforts to back it up. Knowing the numbers is one story, but pushing officials into action is another matter. A set of rules and regulations in this regard will take more time to set up. The author assumes that this move is more of a symbol of a change in the attitude of the government officials.

An opinion on Xinhua.com had the opinion that this move would diminish the efficiency of government work. Officials should be available where their responsibilities require. When officials are contacted regardless of his positions and responsibilities, their attention will be divided and improperly occupied, which will in turn impede the problem-solving process for public welfare. To the author, to establish a top-down communication channel within the government will be a more sensible way to let the voices of the public be heard.