Shenzhen government officials have been ordered to immediately respond to mass protests in person.
By quickly and directly addressing discontented crowds, it is hoped officials can resolve problems calmly and defuse highly charged situations.
The task is an important one for local government officials working to make Shenzhen a harmonious society, according to an official who refused to be named.
The new requirements have been introduced following an attempted strike by local taxi drivers that was successfully resolved by local officials earlier this month.