With economic growth, Chinese society has taken a big leap forward during the past 30 years. However, mere economic development is far from enough. Service-oriented government is indispensable for a healthy modern society.

The guiding principle of service-oriented government means making sure the benefits of social progress are shared by all citizens in a fair manner. A service-oriented government must meet the following six standards.

It should first of all be a limited government instead of an "almighty" one. A service-oriented government should concentrate on coordinating functions, making general policies, maintaining social order and integration, rather than directly controlling wealth distribution and the allocation of resources.

Second, a service-oriented government should cherish humanity as its core value, and take service as its ultimate mission. As British philosopher and administrator John Stuart Mill said: "Government is at once a great influence acting on the human mind, and a set of organized arrangements for public business."

Third, a service-oriented government must offer public services and products. An adequate supply of effective public services and products is an essential prerequisite for arranging governance. The World Bank has said that the primary jobs of government are establishing a foundation of law; maintaining a stable policy environment, including macroeconomic stability; investing in basic social services and infrastructure; protecting the vulnerable; and protecting the environment.

The government might regulate market order, but its direct participation in the market should be forbidden.

The fourth characteristic of a service-oriented government is transparency. It should be run in a glass house, where every citizen can have access to information. All its activities, except those concerning national and economic security and social stability, should be made public.

Fifth, a service-oriented government should provide citizens with enough channels to participate. Good governance relies on citizen participation and approval; that's the essence of government service.

Finally, good governance requires a service-oriented government to be careful with the power invested in its hands and shoulder all responsibilities for every step taken.

The concept of service-oriented government is also closely interwoven with the rule of law. In fact, it is the primary prerequisite of service-oriented government. It should reduce administrative intervention to the maintaining of economic order, and shift such a role to lawmakers.

Law enforcement should be better regulated. A well-coordinated regime with everyone performing his or her duties is the fundamental foundation for the rule of law. Different administrative departments should have a clear division of power and be responsible for the part invested in their hands.

Importance must be attached to the supervision of power. Supervision is needed from various sources: the public, the media, scholars, so as to make it more effective. Supervision should be implemented over the whole process of government to prevent any misbehavior from happening, instead of just penalizing individuals for offences.

The author is a professor of law in Renmin University of China.