The State Council approved the Counselors’ Office establishing an external evaluation mechanism for achievements in opinion solicitation, according to a circular released on March 4.

Main functions of the mechanism include studying, proposing and implementing methods and plans, organizing and coordinating member units to implement evaluations in line with related standards and reference indicators, and providing feedback and reports of the evaluation results to relevant parties in accordance with procedures, the circular said.

With the Counselors' Office of the State Council taking the lead, its member units are made up of 24 departments and units, including the General Office of the State Council and the National Development and Reform Commission, according to the circular.

The circular also said meetings for the evaluation mechanism will be held every year.