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.


四川省泸州市人民政府


泸市府发〔2008〕32 号

泸州市人民政府关于印发《泸州市人民政府工作规则》的通知

各区、县人民政府，市政府各部门：
　　《泸州市人民政府工作规则》已经2008 年9 月19 日市政府第9 次常务会议讨论通过，现印发你们，请遵照执行。

二○○八年九月二十七日

泸州市人民政府工作规则

第一章总则
　　一、为使政府工作法制化、规范化、进一步提高行政效能，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》及《四川省人民政府工作规则》，结合泸州市政府工作实际，制定本规则。
　　二、市政府工作的指导思想是，高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜，以邓小平理论和“三个代表”重要思想为指导，深入贯彻落实科学发展观，认真执行党的路线方针政策，按照市委的决策和部署，全面履行政府职能，努力建设服务政府、责任政府、法治政府和廉洁政府，深入推进泸州“四个四”发展战略。
　　三、市政府工作的准则是，实行科学民主决策，坚持依法行政，推进政务公开，健全监督制度，加强廉政建设。
第二章组成人员职责
　　四、市政府由下列人员组成：市长、副市长、市长助理、秘书长、各委员会主任、各局局长。
　　五、市政府组成人员要履行宪法、法律和法规赋予的职责，执政为民，忠于职守，求真务实，勤勉廉洁。
　　六、市政府实行市长负责制。市长领导市政府的工作；副市长协助市长工作。
　　七、市长召集和主持市政府全体成员暨区县长会议，市长或市长委托负责常务工作的副市长召集和主持市政府常务会议。市政府工作中的重大事项，必须经市政府全体成员暨区县长会议或市政府常务会议讨论决定。
　　八、副市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专项任务，并可代表市政府进行外事活动。
　　九、秘书长在市长领导下，协助市长、常务副市长负责处理市政府的日常工作，领导市政府办公室的工作。
　　十、市长外出期间，由负责常务工作的副市长代行市长职责。
　　十一、市政府各委员会、各局实行主任、局长负责制，由主任、局长领导本部门的工作，并对市长、副市长负责。各委员会、各局根据法律、法规、规章、国务院和省、市政府的决定、命令，在本部门的职权范围内制定规范性文件。审计局在市长和省审计厅的双重领导下，依照法律规定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。市政府各部门要各司其职，各尽其责，顾全大局，精诚团结，维护政令统一，切实贯彻落实市政府各项工作部署。
第三章全面履行政府职能
　　十二、市政府要全面履行经济调节、市场监管、社会管理和公共服务职能。
　　十三、健全经济调节职能，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，转变经济发展方式，调整优化经济结构，改善投资环境，提高经济增长质量和效益，促进全市经济又好又快发展。
　　十四、加强市场监管职能，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，整顿和规范市场经济秩序，完善质量、价格监督机制，建设统一开放竞争有序的现代市场体系。
　　十五、完善社会管理职能，强化政府促进就业和调节收入分配职能，完善社会保障体系，注重解决民生问题。加强城乡基层群众性自治组织和社区建设，依法管理和规范社会组织、社会事务，妥善处理社会矛盾，维护社会公平正义和社会稳定。健全突发事件应急管理机制，完善各类应急预案，提高政府预防和应对突发事件的能力。
　　十六、强化公共服务职能，完善公共政策，健全公共服务体系，整合优化公共资源，增强基本公共服务能力，促进基本公共服务均等化。建立健全公共产品和服务的监管和绩效评估制度，提高教育服务水平，增强科技服务能力，健全公共卫生体系，丰富群众文化生活。
第四章实行科学民主决策
　　十七、市政府及各部门要健全重大事项决策的规则和程序，完善群众参与、专家咨询和政府决策相结合的决策机制，实行依法决策、科学决策和民主决策。
　　十八、全市经济和社会发展计划、财政预决算草案、城乡发展规划、经济调节和改革开放的政策措施、社会管理事务、大型项目和关系社会稳定及其他急要事项等重大决策、市政府规范性文件草案，由市政府全体成员暨区县长会议或市政府常务会议讨论和决定。
　　十九、市政府发布的命令、决定，市政府人事任免、表彰奖励、行政处分由市政府常务会议讨论决定。
　　二十、市政府各部门提请市政府讨论决定的重大决策事项，必须以全市的基础性、战略性研究或发展规划为依据，经过深入调查研究，经过专家或研究、咨询、中介机构的论证评估，由法制机构作合法性论证。涉及相关部门的，应充分协商；涉及地方的，应事先征求意见；涉及重大公共利益和人民群众切身利益的，应向社会公开征求意见，必要时应当举行听证会。
　　二十一、市政府在作出重大决策前，根据需要通过多种形式，直接听取民主党派、社会团体、专家学者、基层群众等方面的意见和建议。
　　二十二、市政府各部门必须坚决贯彻落实市政府的重大决策，及时跟踪和反馈执行情况。市政府办公室要加强督促检查，确保政令畅通。
　 第五章坚持依法行政
　　二十三、市政府及各部门要严格依照合法行政、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，不断提高依法行政的能力和水平。
　　二十四、市政府根据经济社会发展、社会全面进步和扩大对外开放的需要，制定规范性文件，规定行政措施，修改或废止不相适应的规范性文件和行政措施，确保规范性文件的质量。
　　二十五、市政府各部门、各区县政府制定的规范性文件，必须符合宪法、法律、法规、规章和上级人民政府的规范性文件、上级人民政府的命令、决定和国家的方针政策。与公民、法人或其他组织权利、义务有关的规范性文件应当及时公布。涉及两个及以上部门职权范围的事项，应由市政府制定规范性文件，规定行政措施，发布决定，或由有关部门联合制定规范性文件。其中，涉及群众切身利益、社会关注度高的事项及重要涉外、涉港澳台事项，应当事先请示市政府；部门联合制定的重要规范性文件发布前须经市政府批准。部门和区县政府规范性文件应当依法及时报市政府备案，由市政府法制机构审查并定期向市政府报告。制定机关要定期对规范性文件进行清理。需要修改、废止的应当及时修改、废止，继续执行的，应当将目录公告。
　　二十六、市政府规范性文件草案由市政府法制机构审查或组织起草，经市政府常务会议讨论审定。规范性文件的解释工作由市政府法制机构负责。市政府制定的规范性文件按规定报省政府和市人大常委会备案。
　　二十七、全面落实行政执法责任制、评议考核制和执法过错或错案责任追究制，有法必依、违法必究，公正执法、文明执法。严格实行行政复议工作责任制、评议考核制和复议过错责任制，切实做到以人为本、复议为民。
第六章推进政务公开
　　二十八、市政府及各部门要大力推进政务公开，健全政府信息发布制度，完善各类公开办事制度，推行行政权力阳光运行，提高政府工作透明度。
　　二十九、市政府全体成员暨区县长会议和常务会议讨论决定的事项、市政府及各部门制定的政策，除需要保密的外，应及时公布。
　　三十、凡涉及群众切身利益、需要群众广泛知晓的行政事项以及法律和国务院、省政府和市政府规定需要公开的其他事项，均应通过政府网站、政府公报、新闻发布会、办事指南以及报刊、广播、电视等方式，依法、及时、准确地向社会公开。
第七章健全监督制度
　　三十一、市政府要自觉接受市人民代表大会及其常务委员会的监督，认真负责地报告工作，接受询问和质询，依法备案政府规范性文件；自觉接受市政协的民主监督，虚心听取意见和建议。
　　三十二、市政府各部门要依照有关法律的规定接受司法机关实施的监督，同时要自觉接受监察、审计等部门的监督。对监督中发现的问题，要认真查处和整改并向市政府报告。
　　三十三、加强全市行政系统内部监督，健全政府层级监督制度。市政府各部门要严格执行行政复议法和规范性文件备案制度，及时撤销或修改违反法律、法规和规章的规范性文件，纠正违法或不当行政行为，并主动征询和认真听取下级政府及其部门的意见和建议。
　　三十四、市政府及各部门要接受新闻舆论和群众的监督。对新闻媒体报道和各方面反映的重大问题，市政府有关部门要积极主动地查处和整改并向市政府报告。
　　三十五、市政府及各部门要重视人民群众来信来访工作，进一步完善信访制度，确保信访渠道的畅通；市政府领导同志及各部门负责人要亲自阅批重要的群众来信。
　　三十六、市政府及各部门要推行首问负责制度、限时办结制度和责任追究制度，加强行政效能监察，创新绩效评估机制，提高行政机关办事效率。明确问责范围，规范问责程序，严格责任追究，提高政府执行力和公信力。
第八章加强廉政建设
　　三十七、市政府及各部门要从严治政。对职权范围内的事项要按程序和时限积极负责地办理，对不符合规定的事项要坚持原则不得办理；对因推诿、拖延等官僚作风及失职、渎职造成影响和损失的，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。
　　三十八、市政府及各部门要严格执行财经纪律，规范公务接待，不得用公款相互送礼和宴请，不得接受下级政府和部门的送礼和宴请。要艰苦奋斗、勤俭节约，减少会议、接待、差旅和公车使用支出，切实降低行政成本，建设节约型机关。
　　三十九、市政府组成人员要严格执行中央、省委和市委有关廉政建设的各项规定，严格遵守廉政承诺，不得利用职权和职务影响为本人或特定关系人谋取不正当利益；要严格要求亲属和身边的工作人员，不得利用特殊身份拉关系、谋私利。
第九章会议制度
　　四十、市政府实行市政府全体成员暨区县长会议和市政府常务会议制度。
　　四十一、市政府全体成员暨区县长会议由市长、副市长、市长助理、秘书长、市政府组成部门的各委员会主任、各局局长、各区县人民政府区县长组成，泸州军分区主要负责人参加，由市长召集。
市政府全体成员暨区县长会议的主要任务是：
　　（一）传达贯彻党中央、国务院、省委、省政府和市委的重要指示、决议、决定和重要会议精神；　
　　（二）讨论和决定市政府工作中的重大事项，部署市政府重大改革措施或其他重要工作；
　　（三）通报国内外重大事件和全市政治经济社会形势；
　　（四）讨论通过提请市人民代表大会审议的《政府工作报告》；
　　（五）通报人民代表、政协委员在人代会、政协会期间对政府工作提出的建议、批评、意见；
　　（六）讨论通过依法需要由市政府全体成员暨区县长会议决定的其他重要事项。市政府全体成员暨区县长会议一般每半年召开1 次，根据需要可安排市政府顾问、副秘书长，市政府各直属机构、直属特设机构、市级有关单位和中央、省在泸有关单位主要负责人列席会议；特邀市人大常委会、市政协、市中级法院、市检察院负责人及市委有关部门、泸州武警支队负责人和市群团组织、各民主党派、工商联负责人和无党派人士代表列席会议。
　　四十二、市政府常务会议由市长、副市长、市长助理、秘书长组成，泸州军分区主要负责人参加，由市长或市长委托负责常务工作的副市长召集和主持。市政府常务会议的主要任务是：
　　（一）传达贯彻党中央、国务院及省委、省政府和市委的重要指示和决定；
　　（二）讨论通过报请省政府及市委的重要事项；
　　（三）讨论通过提请市人民代表大会及其常务委员会审议的　议案和必须经市人民代表大会及常委委员会通过的人事任免事项；
　　（四）讨论决定市政府工作的重大事项和以市政府名义发布的决定、命令及规范性文件，讨论决定其他重大行政措施；
　　（五）分析全市经济社会发展形势；
　　（六）讨论通过有关人事任免、人事处分及表彰奖励事项；
　　（七）通报和讨论其他重要事项。
　　市政府常务会议原则上每月召开1 次，出席人数应超过应到人数的二分之一。根据需要可安排市政府顾问、副秘书长、市政府办公室副主任、市监察局、市政府法制办公室、市政府研究室、市政府督办室主要负责人列席会议，与议题有关的市级部门主要负责人分段列席会议。市政府办公室相关科（室）主要负责人旁听涉及议题。
　　四十三、提请市政府全体成员暨区县长会议和市政府常务会议讨论的议题，由市长、副市长、秘书长书面批示提出，报市长审批确定。市政府全体成员暨区县长会议和市政府常务会议的组织工作由市政府办公室负责，上会议题材料于会前送达出席人员。
　　四十四、确因特殊原因，市政府领导同志不能出席市政府全体成员暨区县长会议或市政府常务会议，应向会议召集人请假，经批准同意后告知市政府办公室；市政府全体成员暨区县长会议其他组成人员或市政府常务会议列席人员不能参会的应提前填写请假报告单送市政府办公室，由市政府办公室汇总后报会议召集人审批。
　　四十五、市政府全体成员暨区县长会议和市政府常务会议的纪要或通报，由会议召集人或主持人签发。新闻稿由市政府研究室负责审定，如有需要，报市长或秘书长审定。
　　四十六、以市政府名义召开的全市性会议，由市政府常务会议决定或由市长、代行市长职责的常务副市长审批，应尽可能采用电视电话会议等快捷、节俭的形式召开。应由各部门召开的全市性会议，不以市政府或市政府办公室名义召开，不邀请各区县人民政府负责人出席，确需邀请的须按程序报市政府批准。市政府及各部门召开的工作会议，要减少数量，控制规模，改进形式，简化程序，严格审批。各部门负责人应按市政府通知要求出席会议；因故不能出席的，应提前请假，未经同意不得缺席或由他人代替出席。
第十章公文审批
　　四十七、各区县、各部门报送市政府的公文，应当符合《国家行政机关公文处理办法》和《四川省国家行政机关公文处理实施细则》的规定。除紧急重大事项、突发事件和必须直接报送的绝密事项外，公文一律送市政府办公室按规定程序统一办理，不得越级报送、多头分送，一般不得直接向市政府领导同志个人报送公文。各部门报送市政府的请示性公文，部门间如有分歧意见，主办部门应提前协商，达成一致；不能取得一致意见的，应列出各方理据，提出办理建议。
　　四十八、各区县、各部门报送市政府审批的公文，由市政府办公室按照市政府领导同志分工呈批，并根据需要由市政府领导同志转请其他市政府领导同志核批，重大事项报市长审批；涉及财政支出的由市长审批。如属有关部门职权范围内且能明确答复的问题，由市政府办公室直接转交有关部门办理，承办部门应及时向市政府办公室反馈办理结果。
　　四十九、市政府制定的规范性文件，发布的决定、命令，向市人民代表大会及其常务委员会提出的议案，由市长签署。
　　五十、以市政府名义向省政府或省政府办公厅行文，经市政府分管领导同志审核后，由市长或负责常务工作的副市长签发。以市政府名义下发的政务类公文，由分管副市长签发，重大事项报市长签发；常规事项的发文，可由秘书长签发。以市政府办公室名义下发的政务类公文，由分管副市长、市政府秘书长或市政府副秘书长签发，重大事项报市长签发。以市政府办公室名义下发的事务类函件可由秘书长或副秘书长签发，一般事务类函件可由市政府办公室分管领导签发。
　　五十一、市政府及各部门要进一步精简公文，部门职权范围内的事务以及贯彻省厅局委有关工作部署的，由部门自行发文或联合发文，不得要求市政府批转或市政府办公室转发。充分运用政务信息化系统，减少纸质公文数量，提高公文处理时效。　
　　五十二、市政府及各部门公文办理工作严格实行限时办结制度，严格按规范程序办理，不得逆向流转。
第十一章纪律和作风
　　五十三、市政府组成人员要坚决贯彻执行党和国家的路线方针政策以及工作部署，严格遵守纪律，有令必行，有禁必止。
　　五十四、市政府组成人员必须坚决执行市政府的决定，如有不同意见可在市政府内部提出，在没有重新做出决定前，不得有任何与市政府决定相违背的言论和行为；代表市政府或个人发表涉及未经市政府研究决定的重大问题及事项的讲话或文章，事先须经市政府主要领导同意。
　　五十五、市政府各部门发布涉及政府重要工作部署、经济社会发展重要问题、与群众利益密切相关事项的信息，要经过严格审定，重大情况要及时向市政府报告。
　　五十六、市政府组成人员要严格遵守保密纪律和外事纪律，严禁泄漏国家秘密、工作秘密或者因履行职责掌握的商业秘密等，坚决维护国家的安全、荣誉和利益。
　　五十七、市政府组成人员要做学习的表率，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。市政府及各部门要建设学习型机关。
　　五十八、市政府领导同志和各部门负责同志要深入基层，调查研究，指导工作，解决实际问题。下基层要轻车简从，减少陪同和随行人员，简化接待；不要当地负责人到车站、码头及辖区分界处迎送。
　　五十九、市政府领导同志不为部门和下级政府召开的会议活动等发贺信、贺电，不题词，因特殊需要发贺信、贺电和题词，一般不公开发表。市政府领导同志出席会议活动、下基层考察调研的新闻报道和外事活动安排，按有关规定办理。
　　六十、市政府组成人员要严格执行报告和请销假制度。市长与负责常务工作的副市长一般不同时外出。副市长、秘书长离开本市（出访）、出差和休假，应事先报告市长或代行市长职责的常务副市长。市长、副市长、秘书长外出活动的安排和在外地的活动情况应及时告知市政府办公室，由市政府办公室及时在市政府办公室内部信息网上载供市政府其他领导同志阅知。副秘书长离开本市向分管市长和秘书长报告，并将活动情况告知市政府办公室，以便在内部信息网上载供市政府领导同志阅知。
　　六十一、市政府各部门主要负责人离泸外出，应事先向市政府分管领导同志请假，待市政府领导批准后，及时填写请假报告单报市政府办公室。
　　市政府直属机构、直属特设机构、办事机构、直属事业单位适用本规则。