The astronomical numbers in Premier Wen Jiabao's report to the National People's Congress should not be allowed to obscure some of the real advances it contains.
They include the promise that all official budgets will be released publicly, so that people can know 'how much the government spends and what it spends money on'.
Wen also said: 'Governments at all levels need to work hard to accomplish practical results for the people; and all public servants should genuinely become servants of the people.'
That could be bad news for mainland officials who routinely keep their financial affairs private.
The premier's comments reflect the central government's keen awareness of wakening taxpayer consciousness.
With the working class contributing most of the mainland's personal income tax revenue, there is widespread concern about the way that money is being managed and growing demands for increased transparency of government finances.
In theory, all organisations sustained by public funds - from the Communist Party to the judiciary, governments at all levels, semi-official trade unions and women's organisations - should open up their financial accounts.