China sets timetable to reform govt vehicle use

China's central authorities on Wednesday released a guideline to reform the supply and use of government vehicles in an effort to cut hefty spending.

China will scrap the supply of vehicles for use in regular government affairs, while keeping those for special services such as law enforcement and emergencies, according to the guideline.

The central government will instead allocate a "proper amount" in subsidies to public servants to allow them to choose their own means of transportation.

The guideline also urged related authorities to properly relocate drivers or other staff that may be affected during the reform, and sell the spare vehicles in an open procedure to avoid losses of state-owned assets.

The aim is to finish reform in the central government organs by 2014 and in local governments by the end of 2015 to accomplish comprehensive reform in two to three years, said the guideline.

In China, officials above a certain level have usually been provided a driver and car for their work, but many have used the vehicles for private purposes, causing massive waste of public funds and widespread complaints.

The latest reform in the sector comes amid the country's ongoing frugality campaign that aims to build a cleaner and more transparent government.