湖北省武汉市人民政府


武汉市人民政府关于印发武汉市人民政府工作规则的通知

武政〔2007〕57号



各区人民政府，市人民政府各部门：
　　《武汉市人民政府工作规则》已经市人民政府常务会议修订通过，现予印发，请认真遵照执行。

二００七年七月二十五日


武汉市人民政府工作规则
（市人民政府常务会议修订通过）

第一章　　总　则

　　第一条　武汉市第十二届人民代表大会第一次会议产生的新一届武汉市人民政府，根据《中华人民共和国宪法》、《中华人民共和国地方各级人民代表大会和地方各级人民政府组织法》的有关规定，参照《国务院工作规则》、《湖北省人民政府工作规则》，结合本届市人民政府工作实际，制定本规则。
第二条　市人民政府工作以马列主义、毛泽东思想、邓小平理论和“三个代表”重要思想为指导，贯彻党的路线、方针和政策,坚持以人为本、全面协调可持续的科学发展观和社会主义和谐社会的建设理念，按照科学执政、民主执政、依法执政的要求和市第十一次党代会关于“加快‘创新武汉、和谐武汉’建设，实现在中部地区率先崛起”的总体部署，努力提高政府行政能力和管理水平，全面履行政府职能。实行科学民主决策，推进依法行政，加强行政监督，形成行为规范、运转协调、公正透明、廉洁高效的行政管理体制，建设“创新、亲民、务实、廉洁”的责任政府，不断提高政府的公信力和执行力。
　　第三条　市人民政府组成人员要忠实履行宪法和法律赋予的职责，坚持立党为公、执政为民，贯彻执行一切为了群众、一切依靠群众，从群众中来、到群众中去的群众路线，全心全意为人民服务；要解放思想，实事求是，与时俱进，开拓创新，结合武汉实际创造性地开展工作；要甘当公仆、忠于职守、顾全大局、清正廉洁、勤俭节约、讲求实效；要互相团结、互相尊重、互相体谅、互相学习、相互协调、相互支持、密切合作。
　　第四条　市人民政府各部门要严格依法行使职权，进一步转变政府职能、管理方式和工作作风，推进电子政务，简化办事程序，提高行政效能，切实贯彻落实市人民政府各项工作部署。

第二章　市人民政府组成人员职责

　　第五条　市人民政府由市长、副市长、秘书长，市人民政府组成部门的各委员会主任、各局局长组成。
第六条　市人民政府实行市长负责制。市长主持市人民政府的全面工作，副市长、秘书长协助市长工作。
　　市长离汉期间，由负责市人民政府常务工作的副市长主持市人民政府日常工作。　
第七条　市长召集并主持市人民政府全体会议、常务会议和市长办公会议。市人民政府工作中的重大事项，必须经市人民政府全体会议或者常务会议讨论决定。　
　　第八条　副市长、秘书长按分工负责处理分管工作。受市长委托，负责其他方面的工作或者专项任务。　
第九条　秘书长在市长领导下，负责处理市人民政府的日常工作。根据需要，秘书长或者副秘书长可受市长或者副市长委派，代表市人民政府领导同志出席有关会议和公务活动，协调、处理某一方面的工作，组织市人民政府领导同志有关指示和交办事项的贯彻落实，并对其贯彻落实情况进行督促、检查。　
　　第十条　市人民政府组成部门的各委员会主任、各局局长负责本部门的工作。
各部门根据法律、法规和市人民政府的规章、决定、命令在本部门职权范围内，制发规范性文件，履行行政职责。
　　市审计局在市长领导下，依照法律、法规规定的职权和程序，独立行使审计监督权，不受其他行政机关、社会团体和个人的干涉。

第三章　全面履行政府职能

　　第十一条　市人民政府及其各部门要加快政府职能转变，全面履行经济调节、市场监管、社会管理和公共服务职能。　
　　第十二条　履行经济调节职能，加强对全市经济运行的引导和调控。主要运用经济、法律手段和必要的行政手段，引导和调控经济运行，着力调整经济结构和转变增长方式，着力加强资源节约和环境保护，着力推进改革开放和自主创新，着力促进社会发展和解决民生问题，努力实现经济社会又好又快地发展。　
　　第十三条　加强市场监管，创造公平的法制环境。完善行政执法、行业自律、舆论监督、群众参与相结合的市场监管体系。建立健全社会信用体系，实行信用监督和失信惩戒制度，整顿和规范市场经济秩序，建设统一、开放、竞争、有序的现代市场体系。
　　第十四条　认真履行社会管理职能，完善社会管理规章和政策。依法管理和规范社会组织、社会事务，妥善处理社会矛盾，维护社会秩序和社会稳定，促进社会公正。加强城乡基层群众性自治组织和社区建设。培育并引导各类民间组织的健康发展，充分发挥其应有的作用。
　　建立健全各种突发公共事件应急机制。及时、准确、客观向公众发布重大自然灾害、事故灾害、公共卫生和一些社会安全事件等突发公共事件，迅速启动各项应急预案，向公众全面介绍市人民政府应对突发公共事件的举措，解除公众的疑惑、澄清事实、驳斥谣言，采取有效措施消除突发公共事件，提高政府应对公共危机的能力。　
　　第十五条　强化公共服务职能，完善公共政策，健全公共服务体系，努力提供公共产品和服务。建立健全公共产品和服务的监管和绩效评估制度，简化程序，降低成本，讲求质量，提高效益。　

第四章　实行科学民主决策　

　　第十六条　市人民政府及其各部门要进一步完善和推进群众参与、专家咨询和政府决策相结合的决策机制。所有重大决策必须经过民主程序，坚持集体领导、民主集中、个别酝酿、会议决定的议事和决策制度，做到不调查研究不决策、不经过咨询论证不决策、不符合法定程序不决策、没有经过领导集体讨论不决策，对重大项目进行可行性论证需要提供两个以上的可行性方案进行比较，同时进行不可行性论证，大力推进决策的科学化、民主化。　
　　第十七条　全市国民经济和社会发展计划、财政预算、宏观调控和改革开放的政策措施、行政和社会管理事务以及地方性法规草案、政府规章、重大项目建设等重大决策，由市人民政府全体会议或者常务会议讨论决定。需报请市委决定或者依法需提请市人民代表大会及其常务委员会审议决定的，按照其规定办理。　
　　第十八条　市人民政府各部门提请市人民政府讨论决定的重大决策建议，必须以基础性、战略性研究或者发展规划为依据，经过专家或者研究、咨询、中介机构的论证评估或者法律分析；涉及相关部门的，应当充分协商；涉及各区的，应当事先充分征求意见；涉及人民群众切身利益的，一般应当通过社会公示或者听证会等形式听取意见和建议。　
　　第十九条　市人民政府在作出重大决策之前，根据需要通过召开座谈会等形式，直接听取民主党派、群众团体、专家学者等方面的意见和建议。　
　　第二十条　各区人民政府、市人民政府各部门必须坚决贯彻落实市人民政府的重大决策，及时跟踪和反馈执行情况。市人民政府办公厅要加强督促检查，确保政令畅通。　

第五章　推进依法行政　

　　第二十一条　市人民政府及其各部门要按照合法行政、合理行政、程序正当、高效便民、诚实守信、权责一致的要求行使行政权力，强化政府责任意识，不断提高依法行政的能力和水平。　
　　第二十二条　市人民政府要根据社会主义市场经济发展、社会全面进步和扩大对外开放的需要，依据法律、法规，结合我市实际，按照法定程序，适时提出制定、修改或者废止地方性法规的议案，在市人民政府的权限内依法制定政府规章。
　　第二十三条　提请市人民政府讨论的地方性法规草案和审议的政府规章草案，由市人民政府法制办公室审查协调或者组织起草，政府规章的解释工作由市人民政府法制办公室承办。
　　第二十四条　市人民政府各部门制定的规范性文件，必须符合宪法、法律、行政法规，国务院的决定、命令和国家的方针政策，必须符合我省、我市地方性法规、政府规章和省、市人民政府的决定、命令。涉及两个以上部门职权范围的重要事项，应当提请市人民政府制定政府规章、发布决定和命令，或者由有关部门联合制定规范性文件。部门规范性文件要报市人民政府法制办公室审查并定期向市人民政府报告。
　　第二十五条　要按照行政执法与经济利益脱钩、与责任挂钩的原则理顺行政执法体制，科学配置执法机关的职责和权限，相对集中行政处罚权，深化综合执法试点工作。严格实行执法责任制和违法执法责任追究制度，切实做到严格执法、公正执法、文明执法。

第六章　加强行政监督　

　　第二十六条　市人民政府要自觉接受市人民代表大会及其常务委员会的法律监督，向其报告工作、接受质询，依法备案政府规章及规范性文件；接受中国人民政治协商会议武汉市委员会的民主监督，虚心听取其意见和建议。
　　各区人民政府、市人民政府各部门和单位要认真办理市人大议案、代表建议及市政协建议案、提案；市人民政府办公厅要加强督促检查，并向人大代表和政协委员反馈办理情况，确保人大代表、政协委员的建议和意见落到实处。　
　　第二十七条　市人民政府各部门要按照有关法律、法规的规定接受司法监督；同时自觉接受监察、审计部门的专项监督，对发现的问题，要认真查处和整改并向市人民政府报告。　
　　第二十八条　加强行政系统内部层级监督，严格执行规范性文件备案审查制度和行政复议制度，及时发现并纠正违法或者不当的行政行为。　
　　第二十九条　市人民政府及其各部门要自觉接受社会舆论和人民群众的监督，重视新闻媒体报道和反映的问题；对重大问题，各部门要在规定的时间内认真进行查处和整改并向市人民政府报告。　
　　第三十条　市人民政府及其各部门要高度重视人民群众来信来访工作，依法妥善解决人民群众来信来访问题，把不稳定因素解决在基层，确保社会稳定。
　　实行市长信访接待日制度，市人民政府市长、副市长、秘书长每年应当安排1—2次接待人民群众来访；市人民政府各部门要落实专人负责办理人民群众来信来访，对涉及本部门的重要来信、来访，主要负责人要亲自处理。　
　　第三十一条　建立健全政府信息公开和政府新闻发言人制度。除涉及国家秘密、商业秘密和个人隐私的事项外，市人民政府及其各部门所掌握的政府信息应当通过政府新闻发言人、政府网站及新闻媒体等途径向社会公众公开，便于公众知情、参与和监督，应当事人的申请可以向利益相关人予以公开。　

第七章　工作部署

　　第三十二条　市人民政府及其各部门要加强工作的计划性、系统性和预见性，搞好年度工作安排，并根据形势和任务的变化及时作出合理的调整。　
　　第三十三条　市人民政府根据每年经市人民代表大会审议批准的有关报告，结合实际情况，提出年度工作目标和重点工作的实施要求，确定需要讨论的地方性法规草案和审议的政府规章草案、以市人民政府名义召开的全市性会议和制发的公文等事项，形成市人民政府年度工作安排，下发执行。各区人民政府和市人民政府各部门要据此进一步细化本单位的工作任务，认真组织落实，并在年中和年末向市人民政府报告执行情况。对此，市人民政府办公厅要跟踪督办，并对各区、各部门工作进展情况适时进行通报。　
　　第三十四条　市人民政府及其各部门要建立责任明确、协调有序、运行高效的工作机制。市人民政府的日常工作，属于各位副市长职责范围的，由分管副市长具体负责；涉及跨职责范围的重点工作，原则上明确由一位副市长牵头负主要责任，相关副市长配合。属于部门职责范围内的工作，各部门应当积极主动、认真负责地办理，不得推诿；涉及多个部门职责范围的事项，由主要责任部门牵头负责，其他相关部门应当积极配合；涉及跨部门的重大工作，需要多个部门配合协调的事项，一般不再成立领导小组等非常设机构，通过建立委（办局）际联席会议制度来协调办理。副市长之间、各部门负责人之间以及副市长与各部门负责人之间要加强沟通，建立良好的工作运行机制。　
　　第三十五条　市人民政府及其各部门要进一步增强责任意识，对市人民政府的重大决策和各阶段的重点工作落实情况，及时进行督促检查，确保各项工作落到实处。
　　市人民政府办公厅负责编写市人民政府大事记。　

第八章　会议制度

　　第三十六条　市人民政府实行全体会议、常务会议、市长办公会议、专题会议制度。　
　　 第三十七条　市人民政府全体会议由市长、副市长、秘书长，市人民政府组成部门的各委员会主任、各局局长组成，由市长召集并主持，一般每半年召开1次。会议的主要任务是：
　　（一）传达贯彻上级领导机关重要指示、决定和会议精神；
　　（二）讨论决定市人民政府工作中的重大事项；
　　（三）部署市人民政府的重要工作；
　　（四）通报形势；
　　（五）讨论决定其他需要市人民政府全体会议讨论的事项。　
　　第三十八条　市人民政府常务会议由市长、副市长、秘书长组成，由市长召集并主持；市长离汉期间，由负责市人民政府常务工作的副市长召集并主持，一般每月召开3—4次，如有需要可临时召开。会议的主要任务是：
　　（一）讨论决定贯彻上级领导机关有关文件精神和重要指示的主要措施和贯彻意见；
　　（二）讨论决定市人民政府工作中的重要事项；
　　（三）研究需提请市人民代表大会及其常务委员会审议的重大事项和执行市人民代表大会及其常务委员会的决议、决定的措施；
　　（四）审议政府规章草案；
　　（五）通报和讨论市人民政府其他重要工作事项。
　　第三十九条　市长办公会议由市人民政府市长或者市人民政府市长委托负责市人民政府常务工作的副市长召集并主持，视工作需要召开。会议的主要任务是通报、协调市人民政府工作，统筹市人民政府领导同志活动安排。
　　第四十条　市人民政府专题会议由市长、副市长、秘书长或者由市长、副市长、秘书长委托副秘书长召集并主持，视工作需要召开。会议的主要任务是研究、处理市人民政府工作中的一些专门问题。
　　第四十一条　要提高会议质量和效率，做好会务工作。凡拟提交市人民政府常务会议讨论的议题，市人民政府办公厅要加强协调和审核把关；涉及多个部门职责的重大事项，各部门要积极协商解决，凡能在会下解决的问题，不提交市人民政府常务会议讨论。提请市人民政府全体会议、常务会议讨论的议题，由市人民政府分管领导同志协调或者审核后提出，报市长确定；会议文件由市长或者副市长批示印发，文件和议题应当于会前送达参会人员。
　　第四十二条　市人民政府常务会议应当制发会议纪要，市人民政府常务会议纪要由市长或者市长委托秘书长签发；市人民政府全体会议需要制发会议纪要的，由市长签发；市长办公会议和市人民政府专题会议需要制发会议纪要的，视情由市长、分管副市长、秘书长或者委托副秘书长签发。会议讨论决定的事项，宜于公开报道的，应当及时报道。涉及重大事项的新闻稿须经市人民政府秘书长或者有关副秘书长审定，必要时报市长审定。
　　第四十三条　市人民政府及其各部门召开的工作会议，要减少数量，控制规模，严格审批。
　　以市人民政府名义召开的全市性会议，由分管副市长签署意见后，统一由市人民政府办公厅按有关规定办理；未经市人民政府批准，市人民政府各部门不得召开要求其他部门和区负责人参加的全市性会议；市人民政府各部门召开的属本系统范围的会议，不得要求以市人民政府或者市人民政府办公厅的名义召开，一般不邀请市人民政府领导同志出席。全市性会议应当尽可能采用视频会议等快捷、节俭的形式召开。
　　第四十四条　市人民政府召开的各类会议，要严肃会议纪律，确保会议取得实效。因故不能参加会议，应当履行请假手续。

第九章　公文审批制度

　　第四十五条　各区人民政府、市人民政府各部门报送市人民政府的公文，应当符合《国家行政机关公文处理办法》、《湖北省国家行政机关公文处理实施细则》、《武汉市国家行政机关公文处理实施细则》等有关规定。凡不符合上述规定的，市人民政府办公厅将退回报文单位重办。
　　除市人民政府领导同志交办的重大事项、紧急事项和必须直接报送的绝密事项外，其他公文不得直接向市人民政府领导同志个人报送。
　　第四十六条　各区人民政府、市人民政府各部门向市人民政府的请示，应当由区长、主任（局长）签发。请示应当一事一报，并不得多头主报。请示内容涉及其他部门的，主办部门主要负责人应当事先主动与相关部门充分协商，相关部门要积极配合，不得将未经协商的问题上交市人民政府；经协商不能取得一致意见的，主办部门应当如实列出各方面理由及其依据，并提出建议性意见报市人民政府，由市人民政府分管领导同志进行协调或者裁定。
　　第四十七条　各区人民政府、市人民政府各部门报送市人民政府的公文，以及以市人民政府或者市人民政府办公厅名义制发的公文，统一由市人民政府办公厅按规定程序办理，并按市人民政府领导同志分工呈批，重大事项报市长审批。其中，属于规范性公文或者需要从法律方面审核的其他公文，由市人民政府法制办公室提出审核意见后报市人民政府领导同志审批。
　　第四十八条　市人民政府公布的政府规章、决定、命令，向市人民代表大会或者市人民代表大会常务委员会提出的议案、人事任免，由市长签署。
　　第四十九条　以市人民政府名义制发的上行文，经分管副市长审核后，一般由市长签发；以市人民政府名义制发的下行文，经分管副市长审核后，由市长签发；以市人民政府名义制发的平行文，由分管副市长签发，如涉及重大问题，报市长或者负责市人民政府常务工作的副市长签发。
　　以市人民政府办公厅名义发文，由秘书长签发；如有需要，报分管副市长或者市长、负责市人民政府常务工作的副市长签发。
　　第五十条　市人民政府及其各部门要进一步精简公文，制发公文要注重实效，坚持少而精的原则。属于部门职权范围内的事项，由部门自行发文或者联合发文，不得要求市人民政府批转或者市人民政府办公厅转发；按规定明确由主管部门审批或者需要主管部门先行审核的事项，应当直接向主管部门行文，不得报请市人民政府转办。
　　要积极推进政务信息化建设，加快网络化办公进程，提高公文办理的效率。
　　第五十一条　以市人民政府、市人民政府办公厅名义制发的公文，除需要保密的外，应当及时公开，并在《武汉市人民政府公报》上刊登、市人民政府网站上发布

第十章　作风纪律

　　第五十二条　市人民政府领导同志要做学习的表率，密切关注国际国内经济、社会、科技等方面发展变化的新趋势，不断充实新知识，丰富新经验。除积极参与市委理论中心组学习外，市人民政府还要通过举办讲座形式，组织学习经济、科技、法律和现代管理等方面的知识，不断提高领导水平。
　　第五十三条　市人民政府领导同志及各部门负责人要做密切联系群众的表率，深入基层，调查研究，了解情况，掌握第一手资料，增强工作的预见性和主动性。领导同志下基层，一般只根据工作需要安排相关部门负责人或者具体工作人员随行，并尽量减少地方陪同人员，简化接待，轻车简从。
　　第五十四条　除市委、市人民政府统一组织安排的活动以外，市人民政府领导同志一般不出席各区、市人民政府各部门、各单位召开的会议，以及所安排的接见、照像、颁奖、剪彩、题词、首发首映式等事务性活动，不为部门和地区的会议、活动等发贺信、贺电、题词。因特殊情况需要发贺信、贺电或者题词的，一般不公开发表。
　　有关部门和单位要严格遵守上级规定，不得违反规定邀请市人民政府领导同志出席会议和公务活动，确需市人民政府领导同志出席的会议和公务活动由市人民政府办公厅统筹协调。
市人民政府领导同志出席会议和公务活动的新闻报道，按有关规定办理。
　　第五十五条　市人民政府领导同志要按要求参加国务院及其有关部委、省人民政府及其有关部门召开的会议，确实不能参加的应当请假，由市人民政府办公厅与会议召开部门进行协调沟通。副市长、秘书长之间要互相支持，积极补位。
　　第五十六条　坚持热情、周到、简朴、对等的原则安排市人民政府领导同志的各项公务活动。
　　第五十七条　市人民政府及其各部门的领导同志要严格遵守中央、省委和市委有关廉政建设的有关规定，严格要求亲属和身边工作人员，不得利用特殊身份拉关系、谋私利；要按照党风廉政建设责任制的规定，坚持经济建设与党风廉政建设两手抓，切实加强所分管部门的党风廉政建设。
　　第五十八条　市人民政府组成人员必须坚决执行市人民政府的决定，如有不同意见可在市人民政府内部提出；在没有重新作出决定之前，不得有任何与市人民政府决定相违背的言论和行为。代表市人民政府发表讲话或者文章，以及个人发表涉及未经市人民政府研究决定的重大问题及事项的讲话或者文章，事先须经市人民政府同意。市人民政府领导同志的批示，要注意保密，未经领导同志同意，不得对外公开。
　　第五十九条　副市长出差或者出访的时间应当尽可能错开。分管某一方面工作的副市长与副秘书长一般不同时出差或者出访。副市长、秘书长离汉或者休假，应当事先报告市长，由市人民政府办公厅通报市人民政府其他领导同志。
　　各区人民政府、市人民政府各部门主要负责人、市人民政府副秘书长、办公厅负责同志离汉或者休假，应当事先向市人民政府办公厅书面报告，由市人民政府办公厅向市人民政府有关领导同志报告。
　　第六十条　市人民政府及其各部门要实行政务公开，规范行政行为，增强服务观念，强化责任意识，树立规范服务、从严治政、清正廉洁的新风。对职权范围内的事项要按程序和时限积极主动地办理，对不符合规定的事项要坚持原则不予办理；对因推诿、拖延等官僚作风造成影响和损失的，要追究责任；对越权办事、以权谋私等违规、违纪、违法行为，要严肃查处。
　　第六十一条　本规则自印发之日起施行。2004年9月26日制发的《武汉市人民政府工作规则》同时废止。


The People's Republic of China


Decree of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

No. 431

Regulations on Letters and Visits, adopted at the 76th Executive Meeting of the State Council on January 5, 2005, are hereby promulgated and shall be effective as of May 1, 2005.

Premier Wen Jiabao

January 10, 2005

Regulations on Letters and Visits

(Adopted at the 76th Executive Meeting of the State Council on January 5, 2005, promulgated by Decree No. 431 of the State Council of the People's Republic of China on January 10, and effective as of May 1, 2005)

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 These Regulations are formulated for the purposes of enhancing relations between the people's governments at all levels and the people, protecting the lawful rights and interests of letter-writers and visitors, and maintaining a good order in letter-writing and visiting.

Article 2 The term "letters and visits" in these Regulations means that citizens, legal persons or other organizations give information, make comments or suggestions or lodge complaints to the people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level through correspondence, E-mails, faxes, phone calls, visits, and so on, which are dealt with by the relevant administrative departments according to law.

A citizen, legal person or any other organization that gives information, makes comments or suggestions or lodges complaints by such means as prescribed in the preceding paragraph is defined as a letter-writer or visitor.

Article 3 The people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall effectively handle letters and visits by conscientiously dealing with letters, receiving visitors, heeding people's comments, suggestions and complaints and accepting their supervision, so that the people's interests are best served.

The people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall keep free-flowing channels for letter-writers and visitors and provide convenience for the letter-writers or visitors who give information, make comments or suggestions, or lodge complaints by such means as prescribed in these Regulations.

No organization or individual may retaliate against letter-writers or visitors.

Article 4 The work regarding letters and visits shall be done under the leadership of the people's governments at all levels and in adherence to the principles of territorial jurisdiction, responsibilities assumed at different levels, the department in charge being the department responsible and combination of the need to solve problems lawfully, timely and locally with persuasion.

Article 5 The people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall make policy decisions in a scientific and democratic manner, perform their duties according to law and prevent contradictions and disputes at source from leading to letters and visits.

Any people's government at or above the county level shall establish a work pattern for letters and visits characterized by unified leadership, coordination among different departments, overall planning and all-round consideration, seeking both temporary and permanent solution, each assuming its own responsibilities and joining efforts with others for the common goal, and it shall resolve contradictions and disputes in a timely manner by holding joint meetings and setting up a mechanism for making investigation and coordination and handling letters and visits and a working system of supervision in this respect.

Responsible persons of the people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall read letters for important issues and give written instructions on them, receive visitors for important issues, listen to reports on the work regarding letters and visits, and study and solve overriding problems in such work.

Article 6 Any people's government at or above the county level shall set up a department for letters and visits. The relevant department of the people's government at or above the county level and the people's government of the town or township shall, according to the principles of facilitating work and creating convenience for letter-writers and visitors, respectively assign a unit responsible for the work regarding letters and visits (hereinafter referred to as the unit for letters and visits) or individuals the specific reasonability for work in this field.

The department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level is the administrative department of the people's government at the corresponding level which is responsible for the work regarding letters and visits and performs the following duties:

(1) to accept the letter-or-visit matter presented by a letter-writer or visitor, transmit it to another organ, or assign another organ to handle it;

(2) to handle the letter-or-visit matter handed over by the people's government at a higher level or at the corresponding level;

(3) to coordinate efforts in handling important letter-or-visit matters;

(4) to urge and examine the handling of letter-or-visit matters;

(5) to study and analyze both letters and visits, conduct investigation and study and, in a timely manner, make suggestions on improving policies and work to the people's government at the corresponding level; and

(6) to provide guidance to other relevant departments of the people's government at the corresponding level and the departments or units for letters and visits of the people's governments at lower levels in their work regarding letters and visits.

Article 7 The people's governments at all levels shall establish and improve the responsibility system for letters and visits, and shall, in strict accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws, administrative regulations and these Regulations, investigate the individuals who are responsible for malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed in the work regarding letters and visits and circulate a notice of the matter within an appropriate scope.

The people's governments at all levels shall incorporate the achievements scored in the work regarding letters and visits into the performance assessment of public servants.

Article 8 The relevant administrative organ or unit shall give rewards to the letter-writer or visitor who, by giving information or presenting comments or suggestions in its letter or visit, has made contributions to the national economic and social development, and to the improvement of the work of State organs and the protection of public interests.

The relevant administrative organ shall give rewards to the unit or individual that has scored outstanding achievements in the work regarding letters and visits.

Chapter II Channels for Letters and Visits

Article 9 The people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall make known to the public such matters as the correspondence and E-mail addresses, telephone numbers for complaints, time and places for receiving letters and visitors, methods of inquiring about the progress and results of the letter-or-visit matters handled.

The people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall, at the places for receiving letters and visitors or at the websites, make known to the public the laws, regulations and rules, the procedures for handling letter-or-visit matters and other matters concerning provision of convenience to letter-writers and visitors.

Article 10 The people's governments at the level of a city divided into districts and those at the county level and their relevant departments and the people's governments of towns or townships shall establish the system of reception day on which the responsible persons of administrative organs read letters and receive visitors, and coordinate efforts in handling letter-or-visit matters. Letter-writers and visitors can report letter-or-visit matters face to face to the responsible persons of the administrative organs at the publicized reception place on the publicized reception day.

Responsible persons of the people's government at or above the county level and of the relevant departments of the said government or the individuals designated by them may go to the places where the letter-writers or visitors live to talk to them face to face and exchange views with them with regard to the overriding problems they have reported.

Article 11 The department for letters and visits of the State shall, by making full use of the existing network resources for governmental affairs information, establish a national information system for letters and visits, in order to provide convenience for letter-writers and visitors to present letter-or-visit matters and inquire about the handling of the letters and visits locally.

The local people's government at or above the county level shall, by making full use of the existing network resources for governmental affairs information, establish or designate the information system for letters and visits within its administrative areas and connect its information system for letters and visits with those of the people's governments at higher levels, their relevant departments and the people's governments at lower levels.

Article 12 The department for letters and visits or any other relevant departments of the people's government at or above the county level shall, in a timely manner, input the complaint lodged by a letter-writer or visitor into the information system for letters and visits. The letter-writer or visitor may, on the strength of the complaint acceptance certificate issued by the administrative organ, go to the department for letters and visits or the reception place of the relevant department of the local people's government to inquire about the handling of the complaint. The specific measures and procedures therefor shall respectively be formulated by the people's government of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.

Article 13 In light of the actual needs in the work regarding letters and visits, the people's governments at the level of a city divided into districts and those at the county level may establish a working mechanism in which the government plays the leading role and all sectors of society take part and which facilitates rapid settlement of disputes.

The departments and units for letters and visits shall organize the relevant public organizations, legal aid agencies, professionals, volunteers and others to joint efforts in handling complaints lodged by letter-writers and visitors in a lawful, timely and reasonable way through advice, education, consultation, mediation, hearing, or by other means.

Chapter III Presenting Letter-or-visit Matters

Article 14 Where a letter-writer or visitor gives information or makes comments or suggestions on the performance of duties by the following organizations or individuals, or is not satisfied with the performance of duties by the following organizations or individuals, it may present letter-or-visit matters to the relevant administrative organs:

(1) administrative organs or their staff members;

(2) organizations that are authorized by laws or regulations to perform the functions of administration of public affairs, or their staff members;

(3) enterprises or institutions providing public service, or their staff members;

(4) individuals in public organizations or other enterprises or institutions who are appointed or dispatched by administrative organs of the State; and

(5) villagers' committees, residents' committees or their members.

With regard to the complaints that shall be handled according to law through litigation, arbitration, administrative reconsideration or other statutory means, the letter-writer or visitor shall present them to the relevant organs according to the procedures as provided for by the relevant laws and administrative regulations.

Article 15 With regard to a letter-or-visit matter that falls within the scope of the functions and powers of the people's congresses at all levels, the standing committee of the people's congress at or above the county level, the people's court or the people's procuratorate, the letter-writer or visitor shall present it to the people's congress, its standing committee, people's court or people's procuratorate respectively and abide by the provisions of Articles 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 of these Regulations.

Article 16 Where a letter-writer or visitor intends to present a letter-or-visit matter through visit, it shall present the letter-or-visit matter to the organ at the corresponding level or the next higher level that, according to law, has the power to handle the letter-or-visit matter. If a letter-or-visit matter has been accepted or is in the process of being handled and the letter-writer or visitor, before the expiration of the time limit, presents the same letter-or-visit matter to the organ at the higher level of the organ that has accepted and is handling the letter-or-visit matter, the former shall not accept the letter-or-visit matter.

Article 17 A letter-writer or visitor shall, in general, present a letter-or-visit matter through correspondence, E-mail, fax or any other written form. Where it lodges a complaint, it shall, in addition, state clearly its name (title), address, requests, the facts and reasons.

With regard to the oral presentation of a complaint, the relevant organ shall record the name (title) and address of the letter-writer or visitor, its requests, the facts and reasons.

Article 18 Where a letter-writer or visitor who intends to present a letter-or-visit matter through visit, it shall go to the reception place established or designated by the organ concerned.

Where two or more letter-writers or visitors intend to present the same letter-or-visit matter through visit, they shall choose representatives, and the number of representatives shall not exceed five.

Article 19 A letter-writer or visitor shall be objective in presenting letter-or-visit matters, the letter-or-visit matters presented shall be true to facts, and it shall be responsible for the truthfulness of the contents of the materials it provides. It shall not make up stories, distort facts, frame or bring a false charge against others.

Article 20 Letter-writers and visitors shall, in the course of writing letters or making visits, abide by laws and regulations, shall not harm the interests of the State, society or the collective or infringe upon the lawful rights of other citizens, shall conscientiously maintain public order and the order in handling letters and visits, and shall not commit any of the following acts:

(1) illegally assembling around offices of State organs or public places, encircling and attacking State organs, intercepting official vehicles, or jamming and obstructing traffic;

(2) carrying dangerous articles or tools under control;

(3) humiliating, beating up or threatening functionaries of State organs or illegally restricting other people's freedom of the individual;

(4) staying and making trouble at the reception places for letters and visits, or leaving the individuals who are unable to look after themselves at such places;

(5) inciting, colluding with, coercing or enticing with money or things of value others to write letters or make visits, or manipulating from behind the scenes others into doing so, or taking advantage of letters and visits to accumulate wealth; or

(6) committing other acts that disrupt public order or impair national or public security.

Chapter IV Accepting Letter-or-visit Matters

Article 21 The department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level shall, upon receiving a letter or visit, register the letter-or-visit matter presented and handle it on the merits of each case within 15 days in the following ways:

(1) With regard to a letter-or-visit matter specified in Article 15 of these Regulations, notify the letter-writer or visitor that it presents such matter to the people's congresses or its standing committee, people's court or people's procuratorate respectively; and reject the matter which has been or shall be handled according to law through litigation, arbitration, administrative reconsideration or any other statutory means, while notifying the letter-writer or visitor that it presents the matter to the organ concerned according to the procedures as provided for by the relevant laws or administrative regulations.

(2) With regard to a letter-or-visit matter which shall be handled and decided on by the people's government at the corresponding level or the department thereof according to their statutory functions and duties, transfer such matter to the administrative organ which has the power to handle it; or make timely suggestions and submit such matter to the people's government at the corresponding level for decision in case of any important or urgent matter.

(3) With regard to a letter-or-visit matter which involves an administrative organ at a lower level or its staff members, directly transfer such matter to the administrative organ which has the power to handle it according to the principles of territorial jurisdiction, responsibilities assumed at different levels, and the department in charge being the department responsible, and send a copy of the matter to the department or unit for letters and visits of the people's government at the next lower level.

The department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level shall notify such department or unit of the people's government at the next lower level of the matter transferred regularly, and the department or unit for letters and visits of the people's government at a lower level shall report to such department of the people's government at the next higher level about the handling of the transferred matter regularly.

(4) With regard to any important matter among the letter-or-visit matters transferred and feedback on the results of the handling of which is required, send it directly to the administrative organ which has the power to handle it, and ask the organ to feed back the results within the designated time limit for handling it and submit reports on the results of the handling.

Within 15 days from the date the letter-or-visit matter is transferred or assigned thereto according to the provisions of Items (2) to (4) of the preceding paragraph, the administrative organ concerned shall decide whether to accept the matter and notify the letter-writer or visitor of the decision in writing, and inform the department or unit for letters and visits of its decision as required.

Article 22 With regard to a letter-or-visit matter which is directly presented to the administrative organ other than the departments or unit for letters and visits of the people's governments at different levels by a letter-writer or visitor according to the provisions of these Regulations, the administrative organ concerned shall register such matter. A letter-or-visit matter that conforms to the provisions of the first paragraph of Article 14 of these Regulations and falls within the scope of the statutory functions and powers of the said organ shall be accepted by it; and it shall not shift the responsibility onto other organs, take a perfunctory attitude or delay handling the matter. If a letter-or-visit matter does not fall within the scope of the functions and powers of the said organ, it shall notify the letter-writer or visitor that it presents the matter to the organ which has the power to handle the matter.

Where, upon receiving a letter-or-visit matter, the administrative organ concerned can, on the spot, decide whether to accept it, the said organ shall do so in writing. If such decision can not be made on the spot, the said organ shall, within 15 days from the date of receipt of the matter, notify the letter-writer or visitor in writing, unless the name (title) or address of the letter-writer or visitor is unclear.

Relevant administrative organs shall notify each other of the letter-or-visit matters they have accepted.

Article 23 The administrative organ and its staff members shall not divulge or transmit the materials of accusation or exposure or the relevant information provided by a letter-writer or visitor to the individual or department accused or exposed.

Article 24 Where a letter-or-visit matter involves two or more administrative organs, it shall be handled by them through consultation. If disagreement arises in handling of the matter, their common administrative organ at the next higher level shall decide on which organ handles the matter.

Article 25 Where an administrative organ is split up, merges with another or is dissolved, the letter-or-visit matters on which it shall make a decision shall be handled by the administrative organ which continues to perform its functions and powers. If the functions and duties are unclear, the people's government at the corresponding level or the organ designated by such government shall handle the matter.

Article 26 When a citizen, legal person or any other organization discovers an important or urgent letter-or-visit matter or information which may exert an influence on society, it may report the matter to the relevant administrative organ nearby. After receiving such report, the local people's governments at different levels shall immediately report to the people's government at the next higher level and, if necessary, circulate a notice of such matter among the competent departments. After receiving the report, the relevant department of the local people's government at or above the county level shall immediately report to the people's government at the corresponding level and to the competent department at the next higher level and, if necessary, circulate a notice of such matter among the competent departments. After receiving the report, the relevant department of the State Council shall immediately report to the State Council and, if necessary, circulate a notice among the competent departments.

The administrative organ shall not conceal, give a false report about or delay reporting any important or urgent letter-or-visit matter and information or incite others to do so.

Article 27 With regard to important or urgent letter-or-visit matters and information which may exert an influence on society, the administrative organ concerned shall, within the scope of its functions and duties and according to law, take timely measures to prevent the occurrence and extension of adverse influence.

Chapter V Handling, and Supervising and Urging the Handling of Letter-or-visit Matters

Article 28 In handling the letter-or-visit matters presented by a letter-writer or visitor, the administrative organ and its staff members shall perform their duties whole-heartedly, handle the matters impartially, ascertain the facts, clearly distinguish the responsibilities, publicize the legal system, conduct persuasion and handle the matter properly in a timely manner, and they shall not shift the responsibility onto others, take a perfunctory attitude or delay handling the matters.

Article 29 Where the information given by a letter-writer or visitor or the comments or suggestions made thereby are beneficial to improvement of the work of the administrative organ and to promotion of national economic and social development, the relevant administrative organ shall conscientiously study, evaluate and unhesitatingly accept them.

Article 30 The staff member of an administrative organ who has a direct interest in the letter-or-visit matter presented by a letter-writer or visitor or with the letter-writer or visitor shall recuse himself.

Article 31 In handling the letter-or-visit matter presented by a letter-writer or visitor, the administrative organ which has the power to handle such matter shall heed the facts and reasons stated by the letter-writer or visitor. When necessary, it may ask the letter-writer or visitor, or the organization or individual concerned to give an explanation; and where further verification is needed, it may conduct investigation among other organizations or individuals.

A hearing may be held for important, complicated or difficult letter-or-visit matters, and the hearing shall be open to the public to ascertain the facts and clearly distinguish the responsibilities through inquiry, debate, appraisal or judgment by a collegiate group. The people's government of a province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government shall respectively prescribe the scope of hearings, presiding officer, participants, procedures and other things.

Article 32 Through investigation and verification, the administrative organ which has the power to handle the letter-or-visit matter presented by a letter-writer or visitor shall make the following decisions according to the relevant laws, regulations, rules and other provisions and give a written reply to the letter-writer or visitor:

(1) to support the request if it is based on clear facts and conforms to laws, regulations, rules and other provisions;

(2) to make an ample explanation to the letter-writer or visitor if the request is reasonable but lacks legal basis; or

(3) not to support the request if it is not based on facts or does not conform to laws, regulations, rules or other provisions.

Where the administrative organ which has the power to handle the matter decides to support the request according to the provisions of Item (1) of the preceding paragraph, it shall urge the relevant organs or units to execute its decision.

Article 33 The matter presented by a letter-writer or visitor shall be handled within 60 days from the date it is accepted. If the matter is complicated, the time limit for handling it may be extended appropriately upon the approval by the responsible person of the administrative organ concerned, but the period extended shall not exceed 30 days, and the letter-writer or visitor shall be notified of the reasons for such extension. Where laws or administrative regulations provide otherwise, the provisions therein shall prevail.

Article 34 Where a letter-writer or visitor is not satisfied with the decision made by an administrative organ on the handling of the letter-or-visit matter, it may, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the written reply, request the administrative organ at the next higher level of the original administrative organ that has handled the matter to reexamine the matter. The administrative organ which has received the request for reexamination shall, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the request, make a decision after reexamination and give a written reply.

Article 35 Where a letter-writer or visitor is not satisfied with the decision made after reexamination, it may, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the written reply, request for review from the administrative organ at the next higher level of the reexamination organ. The administrative organ which has received the request for review shall, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the request, make a decision after review.

The review organ may, according to the second paragraph of Article 31 of these Regulations, hold a hearing, and the review decision made through hearing may be made known to the public according to law. The time needed for hearing shall not be calculated in the time limit prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

Where the letter-writer or visitor is not satisfied with the review decision and continues to lodge a complaint on the basis of the same facts and reasons, the departments or units for letters and visits of the people's governments at all levels and other administrative organs shall no longer accept the compliant.

Article 36 Where the department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level finds that a relevant administrative organ comes under any of the following circumstances, it shall, without delay, urge such organ to handle the matter concerned and suggest that the said organ make improvement,:

(1) without justifiable reasons, failing to handle the letter-or-visit matter within the prescribed time limit;

(2) failing to give feedback on the results of the handling of the letter-or-visit matter as required;

(3) failing to handle the letter-or-visit matter according to the prescribed procedures;

(4) shifting the responsibility for handling the matter onto other departments, taking a perfunctory attitude, or delaying handling the letter-or-visit matter;

(5) failing to execute the decision on the matter; or

(6) needing urging for other reasons.

Upon receiving the suggestions for improvements, the administrative organ shall, within 30 days, give a feedback in writing on the improvements it has made. If the organ refuses to accept the suggestions, it shall explain the reasons.

Article 37 With regard to any policy problem raised by a letter-writer or visitor, the department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level shall report it to the people's government at the corresponding level in a timely manner and make suggestions as to how to improve the policy and solve the problem.

Article 38 With regard to the staff members of an administrative organ who, in the work regarding letters and visits, cause serious consequences by shifting their responsibilities onto others, taking a perfunctory attitude, delaying handling of matters or practicing fraud, the department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level may make suggestions to the administrative organ concerned to give them administrative sanctions.

Article 39 The department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level shall, regularly, submit analytical reports on letters and visits to the people's government at the corresponding level with regard to the following matters:

(1) statistical data on the letter-or-visit matters accepted, the areas covered by the letter-or-visit matters, and the organs against which a relatively larger number of complaints are lodged;

(2) information about the matters which are transferred for handling or the handling of which is urged, and the suggestions about improvement accepted by different departments; and

(3) the policy suggestions made and accepted.

Chapter VI Legal Liability

Article 40 Where one of the following circumstances leads to the presentation of a letter-or-visit matter, which causes serious consequences, the individual directly in charge and the other individuals directly responsible therefor shall be given an administrative sanction according to the provisions of the relevant laws or administrative regulations; if the act constitutes a crime, they shall be investigated for criminal liability according to law:

(1) The lawful rights and interests of a letter-writer or visitor are infringed upon due to overstepping or abuse of power;

(2) An administrative organ infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of a letter-writer or visitor by doing nothing about what it shall do;

(3) The lawful rights and interests of a letter-writer or visitor is infringed upon due to incorrect application of laws or regulations or violation of statutory procedures; or

(4) The execution of the decision in support of the request of a letter-writer or visitor made by the administrative organ which has the power to handle the matter presented is refused.

Article 41 Where the department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level fails to register the letter-or-visit matter, transfer the matter to another organ or assign another organ to handle the matter as required by regulations, or fails to perform the duties of supervising and urging the handling of the matter as it shall have done, the administrative organ at higher levels shall order it to make corrections; if serious consequences are caused, the individual directly in charge and the other individuals directly responsible therefor shall be given an administrative sanction according to law.

Article 42 Where the administrative organ responsible for accepting letter-or-visit matters, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, comes under any of the following circumstances in accepting a letter-or-visit matter, the administrative organ at a higher level shall order it to make corrections; if serious consequences are caused, the individual directly in charge and the other individuals directly responsible therefor shall be given an administrative sanction according to law:

(1) failing to register the letter-or-visit matter it has received, as is required by regulations;

(2) refusing to accept the letter-or-visit matter which falls within the scope of its statutory functions and powers; or

(3) failing to inform in writing within the specified time limit the letter-writer or visitor of whether the letter-or-visit matter is accepted.

Article 43 Where the administrative organ which has the power to handle letter-or-visit matters, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, commits any of the following acts in handling a letter-or-visit matter, the administrative organ at a higher level shall order it to make corrections; if serious consequences are caused, the individual directly in charge and the other individuals directly responsible therefor shall be given an administrative sanction according to law:

(1) shifting the responsibility onto another organ, taking a perfunctory attitude, or delaying handling the letter-or-visit matter, or failing to wind up the handling of the letter-or-visit matter within the statutory time limit; or

(2) failing to support the request which is based on clear facts and conforms to relevant laws, regulations, rules and other provisions.

Article 44 Where the staff member of an administrative organ, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, divulges or transmits the materials of accusation or exposure and relevant information provided by a letter-writer or visitor to the individual or unit accused or exposed, he shall be given an administrative sanction according to law.

Where the staff member of an administrative organ, in handling a letter-or-visit matter , is rude in his style of work, thus intensifying contradictions and causing serious consequences, he shall be given an administrative sanction according to law.

Article 45 Where an administrative organ and its staff members, in violation of the provisions of Article 26 of these Regulations, conceal, make a false report of or delay reporting the important or urgent letter-or-visit matters or informatinn which may exert an influence on society, or incite another individual to do so, thus causing serious consequences, the individual directly in charge and the other individuals directly responsible therefor shall be given an administrative sanction according to law; if the act constitutes a crime, they shall be investigated for criminal liability according to law.

Article 46 Whoever retaliates against a letter-writer or visitor, thus constituting a crime, shall be investigated for criminal liability according to law; if the act is not serious enough to constitute a crime, he shall be given an administrative or disciplinary sanction according to law.

Article 47 Where a letter-writer or visitor violates the provisions of Article 18 or 20 of these Regulations, the staff member of the State organ concerned shall dissuade, criticize or educate him.

If such dissuasion, criticism or education fails, the public security organ shall warn or admonish the letter-writer or visitor or stop its act. If the letter-writer or visitor violates the laws or administrative regulations on assemblies, processions and demonstrations or if its act constitutes a violation of public security administration, the public security organ shall, according to law, take necessary measures to deal with the case on the spot and impose thereupon an administrative penalty for public security. If the act constitutes a crime, it shall be investigated for criminal liability according to law.

Article 48 Where a letter-writer or visitor makes up a story or distorts facts in an attempt to frame or bring a false charge against another individual, which constitutes a crime, he shall be investigated for criminal liability according to law. If the act is not serious enough to constitute a crime, the public security organ shall impose thereupon an administrative penalty for public security according to law.

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

Article 49 Social organizations, enterprises and institutions shall handle letters and visits with reference to these Regulations.

Article 50 The letter-or-visit matters presented by foreigners, stateless individuals or foreign organizations shall be handled with reference to these Regulations.

Article 51 These Regulations shall be effective as of May 1, 2005. The Regulations on Letters and Calls promulgated by the State Council on October 28, 1995 shall be repealed simultaneously.