Although Wuhan broke with the Regulations on Government Counselors, Xiang said that the selection procedure is legitimate. "The Central Government instructed us to actively explore, and share the results in a timely manner," he said.

According to the selection procedure, candidates should first submit an essay of no fewer than 3,000 characters to explain their understanding of the counselor position and how they can do a good job once offered the position.

After reading the essays, a panel consisting of incumbent counselors, scholars, media personnel and representatives of local residents picked nine applicants for interviews. Two of the shortlisted applicants were government employees, one worked at a school and the other six worked for local companies.

Then the nine candidates were invited to face-to-face interviews, at which each of them spoke about how to effectively collect public opinion and how to advise the municipal government. Three candidates were eliminated following the interview.

Remaining candidates were further evaluated, and eventually a jury recommended three people for admission. Information about the candidates was announced at the government portal for public feedback before they were officially appointed by the mayor on May 29.

New counselors

In addition to Hu, the two other new counselors of the Wuhan Municipal Government are 46-year-old urban management officer Chen Yong and 37-year-old Shi Lan, a civil servant at the Wuhan Tourism Bureau.

During the interview, Chen said, "I work on the streets every day, dealing with ordinary residents. I can amplify the voices of the general public."

While working as an urban management officer, Chen said that he has also gained considerable understanding of Wuhan's history, culture, economics and urban planning.

Shi, a graduate of Peking University, put forward many novel ideas at the interview. For instance, he suggested producing a film based on a foreign factory owner's story in Wuhan to inform residents of the city's history.

Shi said he applied to be a government counselor because he would like to convey the needs of ordinary residents to the municipal government.

The three new counselors brought the total number of counselors of the Wuhan Municipal Government to 39. "More importantly, they brought with them their expertise in history and culture, which is a good supplement to the expertise of previous counselors," Xiang said.

"Counselors from ordinary citizens can better voice people's concerns," said Ye Qing, Deputy Director of Hubei Statistical Bureau and a counselor of the Wuhan Municipal Government.

After becoming a counselor, Hu posted a message on the Internet, soliciting from residents suggestions on how to make Wuhan better.

"Counselors are advisors to the mayor. They should follow the rules of the Counselors' Office and undertake the work assigned by the office, in addition to making personal suggestions," Xiang said.

Government Counselors

Counselors' offices are set up by central, provincial and many municipal governments in China. Various levels of government now have a total of 965 counselors, 57 of whom work at the Counselor's Office of the State Council.

The Counselors' Office of the State Council was founded in 1949. Its major functions include: carrying out research and investigation on the main work of the Communist Party of China and the government, as well as on controversial and difficult issues of concern to the people; making suggestions to leading officials of the State Council; suggesting amendments to important drafts of state laws, regulations and documents; maintaining intimate contact with all sectors of society and reflecting the social situation and public opinion; participating in patriotic united front work; and guiding the work of counselors' offices of local governments.

Party and state leaders have visited the office many times to assign it tasks and give timely official replies to investigative reports and suggestions made by the counselors.

Chen Jinyu, Director of the Counselors' Office of the State Council, said that telling the truth and finding out the truth are the sacred duties of a counselor.

(Source: Counselors' Office of the State Council)

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