(Ecns.cn) –As of August 1, 88 central government departments had disclosed their expenses for overseas trips, vehicles and receptions. Yet many people remain dissatisfied with the results, which are only the first steps towards the ultimate goal of financial transparency and responsible public supervision.
Most money spent on vehicles
Central government departments spent a great deal of money on vehicle purchases and maintenance last year. Among the "three public consumptions," expenditures on vehicles amounted to 3.97 billion yuan (about $613 million), accounting for 61.5% of the total amount.
According to the government, some departments spent an exorbitant amount of money on vehicles last year. For example, the customs institutions spent more than 400 million yuan ($61.84 million) on vehicle purchases and maintenance in 2010, taking up over 90% of the total amount spent on the three items. Similarly, the China Banking Regulatory Commission spent more than 200 million yuan ($30.92) on vehicle-related issues, about 80% of total expenditures.
The trend remains unchanged for this year's budget. In 2011, the same 88 departments have budgeted 3.84 billion yuan (about $594 million), or 60.7% of the total, for vehicle purchases and maintenance.
48 departments raise budgets for 2011
Instead of paring down expenses, 48 departments have raised their 2011 budgets.
The budget of the General Administration of Sport of China is 182,235,800 yuan ($28,173,655), an increase of 14,758,000 yuan ($2,281,587) compared to 2010, which currently ranks it No.1 in terms of budget growth.
The expenditures of the State Bureau for Letters and Calls on the three items was the lowest last year, but the growth rate of its budget for 2011 is 68.4%.
Some departments have provided reasons for their increased budgets. For example, the 2011 budget for overseas trips by the Ministry of Finance has been increased by more than 6 million yuan ($927,600) compared to 2010. It explained that the 2011 Strategic and Economic Dialogue between China and the US, as well as the Economic and Financial Dialogue between China and the UK, will both be hosted abroad, causing a large increase in the budget for international flights and accommodation for the Chinese delegation.
As the State Council has repeatedly called on its ministries to reduce wasteful practices and achieve zero growth, 40 other departments have cut their budgets for the three public consumptions in 2011.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences performed best in responding to the call. Compared to 2010, it has reduced this year's budget by 43,402,400 yuan ($6,710,011).
However, the public has complained that government information is too general and vague, as some departments have only published figures related to the three public consumptions.
A few departments, such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the State Auditing Administration, have even disclosed specific information, a move garnering praise from the public.
