Related News
Home
» City specials
» Hangzhou
A voice for vulnerable groups grows stronger
By Shi Xiaohan |
September 15, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FOR most residents in Hangzhou, retirement marks the time when one is free of working obligations. But for Cui Yansheng, a 74-year-old retiree from Hangzhou Machine Tool Factory, life has never been so busy. Known as the "public hearing expert" of Hangzhou, Cui is one of the most experienced participants at public hearings.
In the public hearing on Hangzhou's taxi fares last Friday, Cui was among the 24 participants.
He impressed the audience with the opening of his speech - "this is the 33rd time I have attended a public hearing. I stand firm for the interests of vulnerable groups."
As a consumer representative, Cui was the first participant in the hearing to completely reject the two fare-rise proposals offered by the Hangzhou Price Bureau. His opinion was later supported by six other participants.
Cui started attending public hearings in 2000, when the Hangzhou government started holding public hearings for policy consultation.
"I was lucky to be selected for the first hearing in Hangzhou's history. I was very excited and prepared carefully for a month," Cui says.
The first hearing was about whether to charge admission to downtown parks.
"Though government officials from the city's finance bureau suggested charging for admission, my advice of free admission was later adopted by the government. Now most of Hangzhou's parks are open to the public for free," Cui says, proudly.
The result encouraged Cui. Since then, he has attended every hearing he's had time for.
However, it is not only the success on park admissions that set Cui off on this path. Cui used to work part-time in his factory's labor union. From an educated family and as an engineer, Cui was a good choice to represent his factory coworkers. He felt obligated to speak out for them and his spirit of representing the vulnerable continues today.
"The workers as a social group have been increasingly marginalized during our country's economic development. Their voices on various social issues deserve to be heard," Cui says.
Cui, who retired in 1998, attributes his deep concern for public affairs and social issues to the education his generation received.
"Our generation, born in the 1930s, was taught to have deep devotion for the public good. Therefore, we try hard to make contributions to society and if possible, participate in public affairs," Cui says.
Cui subscribes to nine newspapers. He starts his day by reading newspapers for the whole morning.
In the afternoon, he usually goes out to do some opinion polling and research about the hottest social issue.
Obviously, Cui's efforts are working. Apart from the thoughtful surveys, Cui organizes his conclusions along with his suggestions into a five to eight-minute speech and practices it several times before a hearing. He is always formally dressed on the hearing day and arrives 30 minutes early to interact with the media and other participants. At the latest hearing about taxi fare adjustments, Cui was the only participant who made a sign with his suggestions.
"Though I am older than most hearing participants, I try my best to stay informed and follow the trend," Cui says.
Cui is a witness to how the public hearing system has evolved. Despite its flaws, Cui thinks highly of the achievements of public hearings as it allows ordinary people to participate in governmental decision-making.
"There were 107 applicants for the taxi fare adjustment hearing. The number itself reflects the success of the system," Cui says.
Cui also says the system has improved gradually over the years.
"In 2004, the hearing organizers, usually a government bureau, stopped pre-screening the speeches of participants," Cui says. "That shows they have more confidence in the participants."
However, Cui still sees room for improvement, especially in terms of responsiveness and its appeal to the young.
"Instead of a paycheck, I expect some feedback, but in most cases I don't get any. This will stop lots of people from trusting the public hearings, especially young people," says Cui.
In the public hearing on Hangzhou's taxi fares last Friday, Cui was among the 24 participants.
He impressed the audience with the opening of his speech - "this is the 33rd time I have attended a public hearing. I stand firm for the interests of vulnerable groups."
As a consumer representative, Cui was the first participant in the hearing to completely reject the two fare-rise proposals offered by the Hangzhou Price Bureau. His opinion was later supported by six other participants.
Cui started attending public hearings in 2000, when the Hangzhou government started holding public hearings for policy consultation.
"I was lucky to be selected for the first hearing in Hangzhou's history. I was very excited and prepared carefully for a month," Cui says.
The first hearing was about whether to charge admission to downtown parks.
"Though government officials from the city's finance bureau suggested charging for admission, my advice of free admission was later adopted by the government. Now most of Hangzhou's parks are open to the public for free," Cui says, proudly.
The result encouraged Cui. Since then, he has attended every hearing he's had time for.
However, it is not only the success on park admissions that set Cui off on this path. Cui used to work part-time in his factory's labor union. From an educated family and as an engineer, Cui was a good choice to represent his factory coworkers. He felt obligated to speak out for them and his spirit of representing the vulnerable continues today.
"The workers as a social group have been increasingly marginalized during our country's economic development. Their voices on various social issues deserve to be heard," Cui says.
Cui, who retired in 1998, attributes his deep concern for public affairs and social issues to the education his generation received.
"Our generation, born in the 1930s, was taught to have deep devotion for the public good. Therefore, we try hard to make contributions to society and if possible, participate in public affairs," Cui says.
Cui subscribes to nine newspapers. He starts his day by reading newspapers for the whole morning.
In the afternoon, he usually goes out to do some opinion polling and research about the hottest social issue.
Obviously, Cui's efforts are working. Apart from the thoughtful surveys, Cui organizes his conclusions along with his suggestions into a five to eight-minute speech and practices it several times before a hearing. He is always formally dressed on the hearing day and arrives 30 minutes early to interact with the media and other participants. At the latest hearing about taxi fare adjustments, Cui was the only participant who made a sign with his suggestions.
"Though I am older than most hearing participants, I try my best to stay informed and follow the trend," Cui says.
Cui is a witness to how the public hearing system has evolved. Despite its flaws, Cui thinks highly of the achievements of public hearings as it allows ordinary people to participate in governmental decision-making.
"There were 107 applicants for the taxi fare adjustment hearing. The number itself reflects the success of the system," Cui says.
Cui also says the system has improved gradually over the years.
"In 2004, the hearing organizers, usually a government bureau, stopped pre-screening the speeches of participants," Cui says. "That shows they have more confidence in the participants."
However, Cui still sees room for improvement, especially in terms of responsiveness and its appeal to the young.
"Instead of a paycheck, I expect some feedback, but in most cases I don't get any. This will stop lots of people from trusting the public hearings, especially young people," says Cui.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
