Citizens in Guiyang city, southwest China, can take complaints, questions and suggestions about their government to the Internet, where they will be processed by a newly-hired cyber spokesperson.

Cao Yi, the government's vice secretary-general and now the first cyber spokesman stepping up to answer online questions and even complaints, told Xinhua News Agency that his new role will "allow greater administrative transparency, accuracy and timeliness."

After launching its official website 10 years ago, the cyber spokesman is the latest move for the Guiyang government to narrow the distance between officials and netizens.