Are China's new leaders really committed to taking responsibility and being accountable to the people, as promised?
But in spite of a generally positive response by Beijing citizens toward the dismissals, there were several questions over whether the government's response to the Sars crisis will prove a mere aberration.
Some commentators noted that the government's new-found transparency - after five months of downplaying the threat and restricting news reporting of it - was more likely precipitated by the loss of international kudos than by any desire to do right by the man in the street.
I'll believe it when I see it. More of it. Remember, China has the Olympics. They better show they deserve it, and that they are prepared to be a good citizen in the world community.
