This book presents the outcomes of a study on indices of rule by law in China conducted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). Since 2009, a group of researchers at the CASS Institute of Law has worked to assess the Chinese governments transparency. In this context, they designed an index system to truthfully record and reflect the reality and development of openness in the Chinese government for eight consecutive years.  This book compiles their reports on each years development, systematically combining quantitative analysis and the status quo for each year. 

Thanks to these reports, readers will be able to clearly understand the evolution of the Chinese governments openness during these eight years. They highlight what the government has done to improve transparency, what has been achieved, and the goals for the future. These reports have not only been acclaimed in academic circles, but have also greatly influenced government policies and procedures. For example, the assessment was expanded to the judicial system including the Supreme Peoples Court, maritime court, and local provincial courts in 2011, and ever since the national judicial systems openness has been considerably improved, in response to recommendations based on the assessment. 

Yanbing Lv is Professor and Director of Rule of Law Research Office, Institute of Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He focuses his studies on public administration law and information law. His works include Annual Report on Government Transparency, Information: New Perspective of Government Governance, Problems of Personal Information Protection Improvement, Administrative Review in Japan and Korea: Cases of Judicializition, Studies and Enlightenment of Protecting Right of Privacy in Japan, Comparison of Supervision by Congress in Western Countries, Korean Administrative Trial Law: Explanation and Interpretation, Transparent Government: Idea, Method and Paths, etc.  

He Tian is Professor at CASS and Director of Center for National Index of Rule of Law. Her research area mainly focuses on positive law, criminal law, legal system, and Asian law. She is a winner of special subsidy of The State Council, and many of her advice have been adopted by Chinese central and local government. Her recent works include Quantitative Study: Measurement of Rule of Law, Year Book of Rule of Law, Study on Prohibitive Behaviors of Public Officer, Conditions of Keeping or Abolishing Death Penalty, Crime and Punishment in Food Safety by Chinese Criminal Law, etc. 

Preface.- Introduction:  OpennessA Brand New Perspective of Governance.- An Overview of Assessment of Indices of Government Transparency in China.- Assessment of Indices of Government Transparency in China in 2009.- Assessment of Indices of Government Transparency in China in 2010.- Assessment of Indices of Government Transparency in China in 2011.- Assessment of Indices of Government Transparency in China in 2012.- Assessment of Indices of Government Transparency in China in 2013.- Assessment of Indices of Government Transparency in China in 2014.- Assessment of Indices of Government Transparency in China in 2015.- Assessment of Indices of Government Transparency in China in 2016.- Conclusion.