Slush funds target of huge crackdown

The Ministry of Finance has launched a massive seven-month crackdown aimed at drying up slush funds that illegally use billions of yuan each year of government money.

The slush funds, which are known as "small treasuries", are understood to be widespread within the State sector.

The practice was described as "the root of collective corruption" by Liu Xirong, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress Law Committee, who called for it to be listed as a crime under China's criminal law.