中共中央


中共中央关于印发《党政领导干部选拔任用工作暂行条例》的通知
1995年2月9日，中共中央


各省、自治区、直辖市党委，各大军区党委，中央各部委，国家机关各部委党组(党委)，军委各总部、各军兵种党委，各人民团体党组：
现将《党政领导干部选拔任用工作暂行条例》印发给你们，请结合本地区、本部门的实际情况，认真遵照执行。

附件：党政领导干部选拔任用工作暂行条例

第一章 总 则
第一条 为认真贯彻执行党的干部路线、方针、政策，建立科学规范的党政领导干部选拔任用制度，形成富有生机与活力的用人机制，推进干部队伍的革命化、年轻化、知识化、专业化，保证党的基本路线的全面贯彻执行和建设有中国特色社会主义事业的顺利发展，根据《中国共产党章程》和国家有关法律、法规，制定本条例。
第二条 选拔任用党政领导干部，必须坚持以下原则：
（一）党管干部的原则；
（二）德才兼备、任人唯贤的原则；
（三）群众公认、注重实绩的原则；
（四）公开、平等、竞争、择优的原则；
（五）民主集中制的原则；
（六）依法办事的原则。
第三条 选拔任用党政领导干部，必须符合把领导班子建设成为坚决贯彻党的基本路线、全心全意为人民服务、具有领导现代化建设能力的坚强领导集体的要求。
第四条 本条例适用于选拔任用中共中央、全国人大常委会、国务院、全国政协、中央纪律检查委员会、最高人民法院、最高人民检察院的工作部门的领导成员，地方县级以上（含县级）党委、人大常委会、政府、政协、纪委、法院、检察院及其工作部门的领导成员。
上列工作部门的内设机构、县级以上党委、政府的直属事业单位和工会、共青团、妇联等人民团体的领导干部的选拔任用，参照本条例的有关规定执行。
第五条 党委（党组）及组织（人事）部门，按照干部管理权限履行选拔任用党政领导干部的职责。

第二章 选拔任用条件
第六条 党政领导干部应当具备以下基本条件：
（一）具有履行职责所需要的马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想的理论政策水平，掌握建设有中国特色社会主义的理论，努力用马克思主义的立场、观点、方法分析和解决实际问题；
（二）坚决执行党的基本路线和各项方针、政策，立志改革开放，献身现代化事业，在社会主义建设中艰苦创业，开拓创新，做出实绩；
（三）坚持实事求是，认真调查研究，能够把党的方针、政策同本地区、本部门的实际相结合，讲实话，办实事，求实效，反对形式主义；
（四）有强烈的革命事业心和政治责任感，有实践经验，有胜任领导工作的组织能力、文化水平和专业知识；
（五）正确行使人民赋予的权力，清正廉洁，勤政为民，以身作则，艰苦朴素，密切联系群众，坚持党的群众路线，自觉地接受党和群众的批评和监督，反对官僚主义，反对任何滥用职权、谋求私利的不正之风；
（六）坚持和维护党的民主集中制，有民主作风，有全局观念，善于团结同志，包括团结同自己有不同意见的同志一道工作。
省部级党政领导干部，还应当努力达到《中共中央关于加强党的建设几个重大问题的决定》对高级干部提出的五项要求。
第七条 提拔担任党政领导职务的，应当具备以下资格：
（一）提任县（处）级领导职务的，应当具有五年以上工龄和两年以上基层工作经历；
（二）提任县（处）级以上领导职务的，一般应当具有在下一级两个以上职位任职的经历；
（三）提任副县（处）级以上领导职务的，由副职提任正职，一般要在副职岗位上工作两年以上，由下级正职提任上级副职，一般要在下级正职岗位上工作三年以上；
（四）一般应当具有大学专科以上文化程度，其中，省部级领导干部一般应当具有大学本科以上文化程度；
（五）必须经过党校、行政院校或者其他培训机构三个月以上的培训；
（六）身体健康；
（七）提任党的领导职务的，除具备上列规定资格外，还应当符合《中国共产党章程》规定的党龄要求。
第八条 党政领导干部应当逐级提拔，特别优秀的中青年干部或工作特殊需要的可以破格提拔。破格提拔的，应当按照有关程序办理。

第三章 民主推荐
第九条 选拔任用党政领导干部，应当经过民主推荐提出考察对象。民主推荐由同级党委（党组）或上级组织（人事）部门主持。
换届时，民主推荐按照领导班子职位的设置全额推荐；个别提拔任职时，按照拟任的职位推荐。
党委（党组）或者组织（人事）部门在民主推荐的基础上，集体研究确定考察对象。确定考察对象时，要把民主推荐的结果作为重要依据之一，同时要防止简单地以票取人。
第十条 换届时，民主推荐由下列人员参加：
（一）党委成员；
（二）人大常委会、政府、政协的党组成员或者全体领导成员；
（三）纪委领导成员；
（四）人民法院、人民检察院、党委工作部门、政府工作部门、人民团体的主要领导成员；
（五）下一级党委和政府的主要领导成员；
（六）其他需要参加的人员。
推荐人大常委会、政府、政协领导成员人选，应有民主党派主要领导成员和无党派人士中的代表人物参加。
第十一条 换届时，民主推荐应当经下列程序：
（一）制定推荐工作方案，公布推荐职务、任职条件、推荐范围和有关要求；
（二）采取召开推荐会、个别谈话、填写推荐表等方式进行推荐；
（三）由同级党委或者上级党委组织部门汇总推荐情况；
（四）向上级党委汇报推荐情况。
第十二条 个别提拔任职时，参加民主推荐的人员和民主推荐的程序，参照本条例第十条和第十一条的规定执行。
第十三条 推荐工作部门的领导成员人选，由本部门领导成员、内设机构领导成员和其他需要参加的人员参加。
第十四条 领导干部个人向党组织推荐领导干部人选，必须负责地写出署名的推荐材料。若所推荐人选是所在单位群众拥护的，可以列为考察对象。
第十五条 推荐党委、政府及其工作部门某些领导成员人选，还可以采取组织推荐、群众推荐、个人自荐和考试、考核相结合的方法。

第四章 考 察
第十六条 对已确定的考察对象，由组织（人事）部门按照干部管理权限，进行严格考察。考察对象人选数一般应当多于拟任职务人数。
部门与地方双重管理干部的考察，由主管方会同协管方进行。
第十七条 考察党政领导干部人选，必须依据干部选拔任用条件和不同领导职务的要求，全面考察其德、能、勤、绩，注重考察工作实绩。
第十八条 考察党政领导干部人选，应当坚持群众路线，充分发扬民主，实行领导和群众相结合，准确地了解考察对象的表现。
第十九条 考察党政领导干部人选，应当经过下列程序：
（一）组织考察组，拟订考察方案；
（二）同考察对象呈报单位的党委（党组）主要领导成员就考察方案沟通情况，征求意见；
（三）采取个别谈话、民主评议或者民意测验、实地考察、专项调查、同考察对象面谈等方法，广泛了解情况；
（四）综合分析考察情况，同考察对象呈报单位的党委（党组）主要领导成员交换意见；
（五）派出考察组的组织（人事）部门的领导成员集体听取考察组汇报，研究提出意见，向党委（党组）报告。
第二十条 考察拟任党政领导职务人选，个别谈话的范围和对象为：
（一）党委、政府领导成员，人大常委会、政协、纪委的主要领导成员；
（二）考察对象所在单位的领导成员；
（三）考察对象所在单位有关工作部门或者内设机构的主要领导成员；
（四）其他有关人员。
考察拟任工作部门领导职务的人选，个别谈话的范围和对象为：
（一）党委、人大常委会、政府、政协、纪委的主要领导成员或者分管领导；
（二）考察对象所在部门的领导成员；
（三）本部门内设机构的主要领导成员和机关工作人员；
（四）其他有关人员。
进行上列考察时，须听取考察对象所在单位组织（人事）部门、纪检机关（监察部门）和机关党组织的意见。
第二十一条 换届前和任届中期，应当对党委、政府及其工作部门的领导成员，各进行一次民主评议。民主评议的结果作为选拔任用领导干部的依据之一。民主评议依照下列规定进行：
（一）民主评议由本级党委（党组）主持，必要时，上级组织（人事）部门可以派人指导；
（二）民主评议的主要内容为领导成员的德才表现、工作实绩；
（三）参加评议的人员，可以根据被评议对象的层次和职务确定，一般应当由被评议对象的同级、下一级以及其他有关人员参加；
（四）民主评议应当在个人总结的基础上，采取召开座谈会、填写书面意见、个别征求意见等方法进行；
（五）民主评议结束后，应当向被评议对象反馈评议情况，召开民主生活会，制定改进措施，向上级党委组织部门报告民主评议情况。
第二十二条 考察党政领导干部人选必须形成书面考察材料，并归入本人档案。考察材料必须全面、准确、清楚地反映考察对象的情况。内容包括：
（一）德才表现、工作实绩和主要特长；
（二）主要缺点和不足；
（三）民主推荐或者民意测验情况。
第二十三条 实行干部考察责任制。进行干部考察，党委（党组）或者组织（人事）部门应当派出考察组。考察组由二名以上成员组成。考察组成员必须坚持原则，公道正派，实事求是地反映考察情况和意见，并对考察材料负责。

第五章 酝 酿
第二十四条 党政领导干部人选，在上级党委考察之前或者本级党委决定呈报之前，应当在下列范围内进行酝酿。
（一）在本级党委领导成员中酝酿；
（二）在本级人大常委会、政府、政协主要领导成员中酝酿；
（三）党外领导成员的人选，还应当在民主党派主要领导成员、无党派人士中的代表人物中酝酿；
酝酿的情况应当向上级党委汇报。
第二十五条 工作部门的领导成员人选，在党委讨论决定前，须征求分管领导的意见。地方政府组成人员人选、人民法院主要领导成员人选、人民检察院主要领导成员人选，须征求人大常委会主要领导成员的意见。
第二十六条 部门与地方双重管理干部的任免，主管方须事先征求协管方的意见，进行酝酿。协管方在收到主管方意见一个月内未予答复的，视为同意。双方意见不一致时，正职的任免报上级党委组织部门协调，上级党委组织部门应当在一个月内提出意见；副职的任免由主管方决定。

第六章 讨论决定
第二十七条 党政领导干部的选拔任用，须按照干部管理权限由党委（党组）集体讨论作出任免决定，或者决定提出推荐、提名的意见。属于上级党委（党组）管理的干部，本级党委（党组）可以提出任免建议。
第二十八条 党委（党组）讨论决定干部任免事项，必须有三分之二以上的成员到会。到会成员对任免事项，应当发表同意、不同意或缓议等明确意见。意见分歧较大或者有重大问题不清楚时，应当暂缓作出决定。对影响作出决定的问题要及时查清，避免久拖不决。
第二十九条 党委（党组）讨论决定干部任免事项，必须按照下列程序进行：
（一）党委（党组）分管干部工作的领导成员或者组织（人事）部门负责人，介绍对领导干部人选的考察情况；
（二）参加会议人员进行讨论；
（三）以党委（党组）应到会领导成员过半数同意形成决定；
（四）对作出任免决定的干部，由党委（党组）指定专人同本人谈话。
第三十条 须报上级党委（党组）审批的拟提拔任职的干部，必须呈报党委（党组）的请示并附干部任免呈报表、干部考察材料、本人的人事档案和党委（党组）会议纪要、讨论记录、民主推荐材料。上级组织（人事）部门，对呈报的材料，要严格审查。
第三十一条 须报上级备案的干部，应当按照规定及时向上级组织（人事）部门备案。

第七章 依法推荐、提名与民主协商
第三十二条 党委向人民代表大会或者人大常委会推荐人大常委会或者政府组成人员人选，应当先向人民代表大会临时党组织或者人大常委会党组和人大常委会组成人员中的党员介绍党委的推荐意见。人民代表大会的临时党组织、人大常委会党组和人大常委会组成人员及人大代表中的党员，应当积极贯彻党委意图，带头依法办事，正确履行职责。
第三十三条 党委向人民代表大会推荐的由人民代表大会选举产生的领导干部人选，应当以本级党委名义向人民代表大会主席团提交推荐书，介绍被推荐人选的有关情况，说明推荐理由。
党委向人大常委会推荐由人大常委会决定任命的领导干部人选，应当在人大常委会审议前，按法律规定的程序提出，并介绍所提人选的有关情况。
第三十四条 党委向政府提名由政府任命的政府工作部门和机构的领导成员人选，在党委讨论决定后，由政府任命。
第三十五条 换届时，党委推荐人大常委会、政府、政协、法院、检察院领导成员人选，应当事先向民主党派负责人、无党派人士中的代表人物通报有关情况，进行民主协商。
第三十六条 由党委推荐的领导干部人选，在人民代表大会选举或者人大常委会决定前，如果人大代表或人大常委会组成人员对所推荐人选提出不同意见，党委应认真加以分析。如果发现有事实依据、足以影响选举或者任命的问题，党委可建议人民代表大会或者人大常委会按照有关程序暂缓选举、决定，也可重新推荐人选。如果党委认为人选不宜改变，或者认为所提意见不全面或与事实不符，应当作出解释或者说明。
第三十七条 由党委推荐、人民代表大会选举的领导干部人选落选后，根据工作需要和本人条件，可以推荐为其他职务人选，也可以在适当时候再次推荐为同一职务人选。
由党委推荐、人大常委会决定任免的领导干部人选在人大常委会未获通过，党委可根据工作需要和本人条件，在进一步酝酿后继续推荐。连续两次未获通过的，不得再推荐为本地同一职务人选。
政协领导成员候选人的推荐和协商提名，应当按照政协章程和有关规定办理。

第八章 交流 回避
第三十八条 实行党政领导干部交流制度。
交流的对象主要是：因工作需要交流的；需要通过交流丰富领导经验、提高领导水平的；在一个地方或者部门工作时间长，按照规定需要回避的；因其他原因需要交流的。交流的重点是党委和政府的领导成员。
地方党委和政府领导成员在同一职位上任职满十年的，必须交流（实行民族区域自治地方的少数民族党政领导干部参照执行）。
同一地方（部门）的党政正职一般不同时易地交流。
交流可以在地区之间、部门之间、地方与部门之间、上下之间、党政机关与企事业单位及其他社会组织之间进行。
第三十九条 实行党政领导干部任职回避制度。
党政领导干部任职回避的亲属关系为：夫妻关系、直系血亲关系、三代以内旁系血亲以及近姻亲关系。有上列亲属关系的，不得在同一机关担任双方直接隶属于同一领导人员的职务或者有直接上下级领导关系的职务，也不得在其中一方担任领导职务的机关从事组织、人事、纪检、监察、审计、财务工作。
担任县（市）委书记、县（市）长职务的，一般不得在原籍任职。经选举产生的县（市）委书记、县（市）长，在原籍任职满一届后，应当实行地域回避（民族自治县参照执行）。
党委（党组）及组织（人事）部门，在讨论干部任免时，凡涉及与会人员本人及其亲属的，本人必须回避。

第九章 辞职 降职
第四十条 建立党政领导干部辞职制度。
辞职包括因公辞职、个人申请辞职和责令辞职。
第四十一条 因公辞职，是指党政领导干部因职务变动，依照法律或者政协章程的规定，向本级人民代表大会、人大常委会或者政协提出辞去领导职务。
第四十二条 个人申请辞职，是指党政领导干部因个人或者其他原因，自动提出辞去现任领导职务。
个人申请辞职，必须写出书面申请，按照干部管理权限报任免机关审批。任免机关应当在收到申请书的三个月以内予以答复。未经批准，不得擅离职守。擅自离职的，应当给予纪律处分。在涉及国家安全、重要机密等特殊职位任职的领导干部，个人不得提出辞职。
第四十三条 责令辞职，是指党委（党组）及组织（人事）部门，根据党政领导干部在任职期间的表现，认定其已不再适合担任现职的，通过一定程序责令其辞去现任领导职务。拒不辞职的，应免去现职。
对被责令辞职的干部，可以分配适当工作。
第四十四条 辞职应当依照法律或者有关规定办理。
第四十五条 建立党政领导干部降职制度。
因工作能力较弱或者其他原因，不适宜担任现职的，可降职使用。降职使用的干部，其待遇按照新任职务的标准执行。
第四十六条 被责令辞职、降职的党政领导干部，在新的岗位上工作实绩突出，符合提拔任用条件的，可以按照有关规定，重新担任或者提拔担任适合的领导职务。

第十章 纪律与监督
第四十七条 选拔任用党政领导干部，必须严格执行本条例的各项规定，并遵守以下纪律：
（一）不准以书记办公会、领导圈阅等形式，代替党委（党组）会集体讨论决定干部任免；
（二）不准临时动议决定干部任免；
（三）不准个人决定干部任免，个人不能改变党委（党组）会集体作出的干部任免决定，有关干部任免的决定，在通知下发之前需复议的，必须经党委（党组）二分之一以上领导成员同意方可进行；
（四）不准拒不执行上级派进、调出或者调动、交流领导干部的决定；
（五）不准要求提拔本人的配偶、子女及其他亲属，或者指令提拔秘书等身边工作人员；
（六）不准泄露酝酿讨论干部任免的情况；
（七）不准在工作调动、机构变动时，突击提拔干部，或者在调离后，干预原地区、原单位的干部选拔任用；
（八）不准在选举中进行违反党的纪律、法律规定和政协章程的活动；
（九）不准在干部考察工作中隐瞒或歪曲事实真相；
（十）不准在干部选拔任用工作中封官许愿，打击报复，营私舞弊。
第四十八条 对党政领导干部选拔任用工作，应当按照下列规定实行有效监督：
（一）党委（党组）及组织（人事）部门受理有关党政领导干部选拔任用工作的检举、申诉，制止、纠正违反本条例的行为，对有关责任者提出处理意见或者处理建议，按照干部管理权限报批执行，党委组织部门的干部调查审理机构，承担有关检查监督的职能；
（二）纪检机关（监察部门）在自己的职权范围内，对选拔任用党政领导干部工作实行检查监督；
（三）组织（人事）部门、纪检机关（监察部门）建立联席会议制度，由组织（人事）部门召集，检查分析本条例的执行情况，发现问题，及时报告党委（党组）；
（四）下级机关和党员、干部、群众，对选拔任用党政领导干部工作中的违纪行为，可向上级党委（党组）及组织（人事）部门、纪检机关（监察部门）检举、申诉，受理部门和机关应当按照有关规定核实处理；
（五）党委（党组）及组织（人事）部门，在党政领导干部选拔任用工作中，应当认真执行本条例，坚持党的原则，公道正派，任人唯贤，搞“五湖四海”，严格遵守组织人事纪律和办事制度，抵制各种违反本条例的行为，自觉接受组织监督和群众监督。
第四十九条 对违反本条例第四十七条规定的，必须给主要责任者以批评教育或者纪律处分。其中，对拒不服从组织调动和交流决定的，依照法律及有关规定就地免职或者降职使用。
第五十条 各级党委（党组）及组织（人事）部门，对未按照本条例规定办理的干部任免请示，不予审批；对未按照本条例规定作出的干部任免决定，必须予以纠正。

第十一章 附 则
第五十一条 选拔任用乡（镇、街道）的党政领导干部，由省、自治区、直辖市党委根据本条例制定相应的实施办法。
第五十二条 人民解放军领导干部的选拔任用工作，由中央军委参照本条例精神作出规定。
第五十三条 本条例由中共中央组织部负责解释。
第五十四条 本条例自发布之日起施行。


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.