The mayor of Guangzhou, Chen Jianhua, promised on Wednesday to make public a government document relating to construction contracts, adding that he hopes political adviser Meng Hao will soon be able to shave his beard.

In a protest against the local authority "hiding" the document, Meng has not shaved since January 2012.

"I will not shave until the document is publicized. As a resident of Guangzhou, I have the right to know about local policies," Meng said.