Guangzhou mayor vows to take lead on asset disclosure - if it's an order

Guangzhou mayor Chen Jianhua vowed yesterday to lead the way in disclosing his assets to the public - if ordered to do so.

Chen told a press conference during the annual meeting of the Guangzhou's People's Congress that Nansha district cadres would need to declare their assets after the Lunar New Year holiday.

"The method of disclosure is decided by our superiors," he said. "I would say that if [Guangzhou] is told to disclose, I would take the lead to disclose."

The need for cadres to declare their assets been a hot topic of discussion in Guangdong, with many members of the public saying it could help curb corruption. Guangzhou's anti-graft watchdog is basing its asset declaration requirements on Hong Kong's model - with only a limited number of officials required to declare their assets, to varying degrees.

Dr Peng Peng , a researcher at the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences, said asset declaration requirements for officials should differ according to their role and positions.

"Cadres with power to make decisions on public policy… are the ones that need to be closely watched and held accountable to the public by disclosing their assets," Peng said.

It would be impossible for reform to move ahead if all civil servants were required to declare their assets, he added.

Commenting on Guangzhou's reform drive, Chen said the city government would create "super ministries" by merging smaller departments by the end of June.

Chen also vowed to increase the minimum wage in Guangzhou this year. With a strike by sanitation workers in Yuexiu district entering its fourth day, Chen vowed to improve management and ensure that sanitation workers received fairer pay.