Internet a govt/citizen bridge in China

Xinhua, the state news agency, reports that: "Having become a popular personal communication tool in China, the Internet is gradually entering the country's public affairs decision-making.... In Beijing, the municipal government has posted a notice on Beijing.gov.cn, soliciting public views on 56 major public undertakings planned for 2004. Nationwide, cases of the government using the Internet to communicate with the public have been increasing rapidly... 'Lots of government agencies have come to regard the Internet as a useful tool, one that would help them to make better decisions,' said Professor Liu Qinglong of China's Qinghua University, who is heading a research program on e-government... Public response to the new opportunities created by the Internet has been enthusiastic. According to Xinhuanet.com, more than 40,000 people participated in the on-line chat with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing last December..." [Thanks to China Digital News for the pointer]