Government officials have been called on by a senior Chinese official to handle public complaints carefully and in accordance with the law, in order to maintain social harmony and stability ahead of China's National Day celebration in October.

Zhou Benshun, secretary general of the Political and Legislative Affairs Committee (PLAC) of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks Thursday during a three-day PLAC training program on the handling of representations from the public.

In China, both central and local governments have departments where officials receive members of the public and letters of petition and complaint.

Zhou said government officials should try to address and resolve public complaints and disputes at village or county levels. He said: "Problems can be solved without coming to Beijing."

He urged the officials to address complaints according to China's laws and regulations, but said "judicial authority must not be sacrificed in the process."

National Day in China this year will mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2009)