The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Shanghai Committee's annual session kicked off on Jan 19 and the event was marked by an expansion of online operations operated by the Lin-gang Special Area Administration to handle queries and suggestions from deputies and member of the two sessions.

In the past, the various organizations of East China's Shanghai city would set up booths at the conference site and provide face-to-face consultations.

But due to COVID-19, deputies to the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress and members of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference are doing things differently.

They are carrying out online communications and have been interacting with various parties, making suggestions and submitting their proposals through a network platform since 2021.

An official gets busy, answering questions online. [Photo/WeChat account: shlgguanweihui]

In order to respond in a timely fashion to the questions from the deputies and members, the Lin-gang Special Area Administration has selected heads of department or officials who know the overall work of the department and are ready to answer questions while on a computer.

Officials are making sure that every question or suggestion gets a response within five minutes.

The online consulting this year has been upgraded and deputies and members can also initiate real-time voice communications.

Deputies and members have so far raised questions and given suggestions on institutional innovation and breakthroughs, regional planning, transport infrastructure construction and other aspects of the Lin-gang Special Area.

In addition to the government's advice, the Lin-gang Special Area is also keeping the public opinion reception channels unblocked at all times.