Transparency should not be a publicity campaign

Governments should transform into public-service providers as quickly as possible, matching deeds with words, which is more important than superficial face-lift publicity work, says an editorial in People's Daily. Excerpts:

Chinese media report more on new leaders' personal information than they have before. The new central government would like to establish a more genial and people-first image. But more challenges rest with grassroots officials, who are in contact with people more often and directly. If the Chinese government really wants to improve its public image, local governments must learn from the central authority.

But simply telling the public the experience of the leaders and even background information about their families cannot win the people's support. The irony is that learning personal information about local government officials is more difficult than learning about the State leaders.

The government should take this opportunity to reform its government-official property disclosure system. Transparency is not only a good way to get closer to the people but also an effective way to combat corruption.

A clean government naturally wins supports from the people.