Guangzhou lifts veil on public security spending

Guangzhou's Public Security Bureau plans to spend more than 2 billion yuan (HK$2.52 billion) in maintaining security this year, according to its annual budget released to the public for the first time, together with those of 100 other city departments.

The bureau planned to spend 2.9 billion yuan this year, of which 2.2 billion, or 74 per cent, is for public security.

The rest of the money is earmarked for social security, medical insurance and housing for its employees and retired workers.

Spending on public security was 4.7 per cent higher than last year, due to the need for criminal investigations, security controls, population management and the public security technology, the report released on Wednesday said.

But the bureau said it did not include spending tied to state secrets.

The city has been shocked by several violent attacks in the past year. Earlier this month, three knife-wielding assailants attacked passengers at Guangzhou Railway Station, according to witnesses. Thirteen people were injured. Another knife attack at the same station wounded at least six people last May.

In the past, the bureau only made public its budgets for expenditure on meetings and "three public expenses" - official vehicles, receptions and overseas trips.