A new English-language web portal english.gov.cn has been launched by central government in a bid to improve communications with the outside world.

The move comes just 6 weeks after the central government's first venture into public relations on cyberspace. The State Council launched www.gov.cn on National Day, as reported in the October edition of China Development Brief, although separate line Ministries have had a presence on the Internet that dates back much further.

Aside from arming government with a new mouthpiece to propagate its official line and report the movement of key Ministers the site also offers an overview of government structures, the allocation of administrative powers and a list of key personnel that includes detailed profiles of Ministers and the central leadership.

Other interesting features include a searchable database of laws and regulations and a set of White Papers dating back to 1991. Readers of China Development Brief may also find themselves drawn to the China Factfile menu that carries 22 sub-categories on themes such as agriculture, education, environment, public health and society / civil affairs.

The latter dedicates space to the rise and development of NGOs in which there is clear acknowledgement of the need for NGOs, in particular GONGOs which, says the narrative, ‘will enjoy greater independence and benefit from the monopoly positions granted by the government in certain public affairs.’ But it also warns that ‘Those NGOs without government background will see their development affected by elements in government policy [..]’ and tentatively concludes that the future ‘is to maintain government control over most NGOs, while gradually giving special registration approval to NGOs in certain areas.’

Practical advice on trade and investment, obtaining a green card, adopting a child and getting married in China is also available on the site.

Report by Matt Perrement.