Experts not carried away by latest 'small step' to political reform

By giving the public a say on appointments and in the monitoring of cadres, the central government is, many agree, trying to implement its pledges of greater accountability and intraparty democracy.

Under a measure unveiled on Sunday, about 80,000 people will be polled on officials' performance and image, whether cadres merit promotion and their efforts to prevent mistakes or put them right.

While the measure has been well received, experts have warned against attaching too much significance to it since it is only a small step on the long road to political reform.

Observers note that local authorities are increasingly using opinion polls to gauge the public's views on various policy issues. Still, the scale of the latest move is unprecedented, with annual public opinion surveys to be conducted in 31 provinces and municipalities, and within government bodies and state enterprises.

'I don't think it's a huge breakthrough because in many places the local authorities also carry out various opinion surveys,' said Liu Xutao , professor of public policy at the National School of Administration.

'But of course, it's a way of advancing democratisation. The mainland exercises one-party dictatorship ... so to expand democracy they have to listen more to the public's views.'