A file photo of Chen Mingming (L), the deputy provincial governor in Guizhou Province appearing in a court over a land seizure dispute with a farmer. [Photo: ddcpc.cn]

A deputy provincial governor in Guizhou Province has appeared in court over a land seizure dispute with a farmer.

The plaintiff, Ding Jiaqiang, demanded the Guizhou government revoke a compensation scheme for a highway project, issued by the Zunyi municipal government in June.

Ding claimed he had not seen the land seizure notice and that there was no public consultation on the compensation plan. He also said the compensation was too low.

He filed an appeal with the provincial government, but that was rejected. He then filed a lawsuit with the court.

Appearing in court for the provincial government, Chen Mingming, said the principals should have self-confidence in law-based administration and the courage to rectify errors according to law, and said the government should also protect its own interests and authority through lawsuits.

The Legal Affairs Office of Guizhou said this was the first time that a leading official from a provincial government in China has appeared in court in an administrative lawsuits case.

The revision of the Administrative Procedure Law came into effect in May last year. It enables citizens to sue the government more easily, and demands leading government officials to appear in court.

There has been a rise in administrative lawsuits since the new law was implemented.