Transparency shot

It was something society desperately needed, and one many had appealed for eagerly. Yet, few anticipated it would come so soon, and, for that, we have the city of Guangzhou to thank.

From now on, every citizen can log on the website of the city's Bureau of Finance to find out just how exactly taxpayer money is being spent by the 114 agencies of the city government. The information is downloadable free of charge.

This south China city has thus become the first on the mainland to make its budget information available on the Internet. This definitely calls for celebration as many of its counterparts still refuse to part with this information, saying it constitutes "State secrets."