The first National Seminar on Government Services was held in Beijing on September 24. More than 300 guests from different government departments, academic research institutes, and enterprises took part in the event.

The seminar sought to promote “Internet + government services” with the development of big data, and help different government departments share information so that more people can benefit from the government’s work. Scholars from Harvard University, Tsinghua University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and representatives of outstanding government services from different cities joined the seminar.

Twelve speakers delivered keynote speeches, discussing how to improve government services through data sharing, new media, and coordination between different departments.

Dr. Hong Junhao, a professor from the State University of New York and researcher at the Fairbank Center for China Studies of Harvard University, spoke on the influence of new media in our society. Dr. Hong said that the era of new media ushered in a brand new world. Many aspects of our society were restructured, which requires changes in social management. We should take advantage of the new media era to give better services for the people, and to help the government and the public learn about each other.

Zhang Ding’an, deputy director-general of the Chinese Public Administration Society, spoke on media integration and smart government services. Zhang said that one government service system should be established, and online service platforms should be set up to make it more convenient for government departments to serve the public. Smart government services have become crucial to changing the traditional role of government and in learning more about the will of the people.

Advanced government service departments and individuals across the country were awarded at the seminar.

The seminar was organized by China City newspaper of People’s Daily and the China Big Data Professional Committee.