Abstract:Based on distinguishing theoretically the democrati c mandate from administrative delegate, the paper analyzes how the two kinds of au thority-giving influence local government's accountability in China since the policy of opening up and reform. It is argued that the key reason of weak ac countability of local governments is the democratic mandate is weaker than admin istrative delegate. Local officials pay more attention to the above level, not t he public. In order to construct a comprehensive and effective public accountabi lity mechanism, democratic mandate has to be strengthened and reinforced mutuall y with administrative delegate.