Beijing security chiefs are for the first time polling the public for their views on how safe the city is.

Authorities plan to send out 1 million questionnaires to residents by May 10, distributing them among communities and in the media. The survey was also made available online on Tuesday, although only in China.

The move by the public security bureau is aimed at evaluating the security situation, as well as gauging major concerns and soliciting opinions. The questionnaires will be gathered May 10 to 15 and used as reference for a citywide action plan.

"We will resolve the biggest security concerns and improve residents' sense of security," said Xu Shenshen, the spokesman of the bureau's public security administration team.

As of Tuesday night, home break-ins, theft and drunk driving were the top three concerns raised by 1,690 or so residents who logged on the bureau's official Sina micro blog.

Chinese and foreign residents have applauded the campaign, with most agreeing that the capital is generally a very safe place to live and work.

"The questionnaire represents the progress within the bureau that they are listening to public opinion," said Wu Qiong, who works in administration at a Beijing university.

Mark Hiew, 26, a senior associate for program development at Junior Achievements, an education NGO, said: "I feel safer here than most other places I've lived."

Before moving to Beijing four years ago, the Australian used to live in Washington, DC, a city with one of the highest crime rates in the United States. He said the only problem he has witnessed in the Chinese capital is petty theft, "but I don't think it's worth calling the police for that kind of thing".

Many born and bred Beijingers say they are paying more attention to the bureau's actions than the questionnaires, however.

"I hope the bureau will put their plan into practice, not just make a show to the public," said Chen Jing, 27, who works at a finance company. He complained that he has been a victim of mobile phone scams several times but received little response when he called the police.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/04/2011 page)