BEIJING - China's State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said on Wednesday it plans to spend 97 million yuan ($15 million) on government-funded overseas trips, vehicles and receptions in 2011.

In a statement posted on its official website, the administration said the budget included 9.92 million yuan for overseas trips, about 44.18 million yuan for vehicle purchases and maintenance, and 42.84 million yuan for receptions.

According to the statement, the SOA spent 9.92 million yuan on overseas trips in 2010. It spent 45.08 million yuan for vehicle purchases and maintenance and 42.84 million yuan for receptions last year.

The Chinese public believes that expenses on the three items are "sources of corruption and waste" and have demanded more transparency in the budgets of central government departments.

The State Council, or China's Cabinet, has repeatedly called on its ministries to publicize their budget information and "provide greater details" regarding such expenses.

Also on Wednesday, the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation made public its budget for government-funded overseas trips, vehicles and receptions in 2011 at 10.79 million yuan.

The administration said it spent 15.68 million yuan on these three categories last year.