True to form?

The Communist Party of China's disciplinary watchdog in Chongqing said it is investigating the authenticity of a government expenditure form anonymously posted online.

The form, said to be from an unspecified district government of Chongqing, took many aback with these stunning figures: From 2006 to 2008, almost 61 million yuan were spent on purchase and maintenance of vehicles. Last year's expenditure on receptions alone was nearly 13 million yuan.

It is an open secret that a few officials are inclined to squander public money. But we seldom see evidence on this scale. Should it be true, it would be telling proof of the profligacy of public administration in some parts of China.