China to rein in extravagance of government offices

China on Monday introduced a draft regulation on the management of government offices to rein in extravagant government expenditures.

The draft regulation, published by the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, obliges government agencies above the county level to integrate official overseas visits, public vehicles and maintenance, and official receptions into their budget control, and devise spending plans on these three items.

According to the draft regulation, if government offices are involved in excessive spending on overseas visits, public vehicle purchases and maintenance and official receptions, those responsible will be subject to punishments as severe as downgrading or dismissal.

Other offenses include borrowing from the budget for overseas visits, public vehicles and official receptions, or asking enterprises or affiliated organizations to pay bills for them or purchase luxury goods, services or office buildings, among other things.

In response to public outcry for more transparency in the use of public funds, earlier this year the State Council, or China's Cabinet, ordered 98 ministries and governmental organs to make public their budgets and expenditures on official overseas visits, public vehicles and official receptions.

Government expenditure on those three items, commonly referred to as the "three public expenditures," have long been viewed as major sources of squandering and corruption.

A Ministry of Finance report in June revealed that the "three public expenditures" at the national level totaled 9.47 billion yuan (1.5 billion U.S. dollars) last year, with spending on service vehicles reaching 6.17 billion yuan.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang requested that public offices operate with frugality and integrity while speaking at a meeting last Friday honoring role models for distinguished public service at the national level.

Vice Premier Li urged public offices to "use resources and logistics where they are most needed."