CPC emphasizes social governance to tackle conflicts

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CPC emphasizes social governance to tackle conflicts

(Xinhua) 15:44, November 16, 2013

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The Communist Party of China (CPC) has emphasized innovation in social governance in the country's new reform, which echoes high expectations of scholars and boosts confidence of social workers.

A decision was publicized on Friday by the CPC Central Committee, urging improvement of China's pattern of social governance to stimulate social organizations and innovate prevention and resolution of social conflicts.

The lengthy document on major issues concerning comprehensively deepening reforms was approved at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, a four-day key meeting which ended on Tuesday.

"It's notable that the vitality of social organizations was mentioned in the reform framework," said Chi Fulin, president of the Hainan-based China Institute for Reform and Development. "It signals the breakthrough in China's social transformation."

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua ahead of the plenum, the reform advocate pointed out that reform was at the critical point. Any delay could increase social risks, he warned.

A series of violent crimes hit China this year, including a bus fire in June claiming 47 lives in southeastern city of Xiamen, which caused not only innocent deaths but also social panic.

In some cases, criminals are using violence to express demands or vent anger.

"Some local governments are helpless in tackling disputes or conflicts, because they're caught in the contradictions themselves," commented Gu Jun, a sociology professor with Shanghai University. "They should value social organizations' roles in resolving the problem."

Gu stressed that governing is a notion different from regulating. "The subject of regulation is the government alone, while governance is a negotiation process that brings in all the interested parties."

"The core issue of this reform is the relationship between the government and the market, as pointed out in the document," Gu added. "And I believe the government should also optimize its relationship with social forces."

China's cabinet unveiled a plan for the transformation of government functions in March, which will simplify the administrative procedure for social organizations.

Until the first half of this year, more than 500,000 social groups, non-governmental organizations (NGO), public institutions and foundations had been registered in China, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Governments at different levels also provide support by purchasing services from the organizations. Many social forces are already paying close attention to the most delicate issues in Chinese society, such as patient-hospital disputes, environmental crises, and the welfare of migrant workers. And a lot of them are no longer considered as trouble-makers by the local governments, but supporting roles in public affairs.

An example is the patients' rights association in northwest China's Gansu Province, which helps the local hospitals and patients settle disputes as a third party. Its positive impact is recognized by both patients and hospitals. Health authorities in Gansu even required hospitals to set up workshops to team up with the association.