BEIJING, Jan. 9 -- State councilor Yang Jing has demanded reform in the way government departments manage public petitions, calling for actions to protect people's lawful interests.

Yang made the comments on Wednesday at a national meeting for officials in charge of handling public letters and calls.

Petitioning, also known as letters and calls, is the administrative system for hearing public complaints and grievances. People who are not satisfied with government decisions can request reexamination of their matters.

Local departments have been ordered to improve their petition management methods and evaluation system, with special focus on promoting online petitioning and solving prominent issues with law-oriented policies.

Yang called on departments to better understand public opinion and social situations via complaints and advice submitted, and strengthen their functions to evaluate the effects of policies and erase social risks.

Yang also stressed the role of various social groups in helping solve conflicts.