Government should be close to its people: Wen

Government should forge close ties with its people and listen to their opinions, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told reporters when asked his opinion on the situation in West Asia and North Africa.

Wen said he made it clear during talks with Gulf states' leaders that government should respect the people's appeals in defending their own interests, for it is the people who created history. The responsibility for any government is to bring benefits to its own people, he added.

In today's information-rich world, governments face more complexity in governing, and policy and planning coordination. In such circumstances, people's demands on government are also growing, Wen said.

By keeping close ties with its people and listening to their opinions, governments could better develop the economy, improve people's livelihoods and bring benefits to them, he said.

A responsible government should firmly and bravely shoulder its responsibility without pursuing special gains for itself, Wen said.