rumors of changes to the petition system

[Jonathan Lassen <jjlassen@chinastudygroup.org>]

Rumors of change to the petition (shangfang) system. Hu Jintao 
supposedly wants to reform it and set up a 'xinfang lianxi huiyi.' 
Anyone have any idea what that is?

The reform is supposedly based on survey research conducted by Yu 
Jianrong, which gives some background to the nature of recent unrest:

1) only 0.2% of problems petitioned are solved via the petition process. 
2) 63% of petitioners first attempt to solve their problems via the 
legal system.
3) of this 63%, courts refuse to accept the cases of almost half.

http://www7.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/cna_2004_11_05_00_23_03_391.html

Jonathan