BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- The Website of China's central government, www.gov.cn, will open formally on Jan. 1, 2006, in simplified Chinese, original complex Chinese character and English versions, according to a decision of the State Council reaching here Saturday.

    The Website, which went into trial operation on Oct. 1, is aimed to provide a platform for the departments under the State Council, and provincial, autonomous regional and municipal governments to release information on government affairs and provide on-line services.

    According to the State Council, the building of the central government Website is a major step to push forward administrative innovation as the central authorities strive to build a service-oriented government.

    It will be significant to promoting the openness of government affairs, and improving public services and administrative efficiency so as to facilitate public participation in and supervision over government affairs, which the Chinese authoritieshave been devoted to.

    The Website has four sections. The section of information aboutgovernment affairs is for providing information on government work, including important policies, regulations and documents. The service section provides on-line services to citizens, enterprisesand foreigners. The section offers communication channels between the government and citizens. The section of applied functions provides surfers with a search engine.

    The Website has the seven columns of China Today, China Factfile, Services for Non-Residents, Business, Official Publications, Laws and Regulations, and Special Reports in its English version.

    The General Office of the State Council is responsible for the content design, organization and coordination for the Website, while Xinhua News Agency is responsible for Website operation, content updating and technical support.

    During the trial operation of the Website, public response has been positive, and improvements have been made according to the suggestions and proposals of the general public. Enditem