Anti-corruption drive targets off-budget spending
Premier repeats warning that the government will lose credibility if it fails to curb graft
Premier Li Keqiang told the State Council's first meeting on fighting corruption that curbs would be gradually introduced at all levels of government to curb off-budget spending.
He did not give any timetable for the move.
Li, who was appointed head of the cabinet this month, said Chinese society was more transparent today thanks to social media and that could lead to a discontent if the government did not disclose information correctly and immediately, China News Service reported last night.
"It's better for us to release the information proactively, and tell the public the truth," Li said while mapping out major areas for this year's anti-graft policies, including the publication of government budgets.
It's better for us to release the information proactively, and tell the public the truth
Li also called for institutional prevention of corruption and said the government needed a system to supervise its power. He said spending on official hospitality would be reined in and officials would have to cut back on the number of official cars, bureaucratic meetings and reports.
Public spending on receptions, meetings, car purchases and maintenance should be open to public scrutiny, he said.