Unnecessary tours

True, it is some achievement that the number of groups, people and the amount of money for overseas tours at the public's expense has dropped by 49, 45.5 and 37.6 percent respectively in 2009, compared with the average figures of the previous three years.

Yet, there is hardly any reason to be elated for such an accomplishment amid the financial difficulties during the crisis. If nearly 50 percent of the business trips abroad for government officials at various levels can be cut, and 160 million yuan ($23 million) were shelved as unnecessary, the biggest question should be how big the loopholes are in management.

Even after the drop, more than 3,300 business trips at the public's expense were made in 2009, involving more than 123,000 officials. It was not rare that some went on sightseeing tours abroad, considering them as an entitled privilege.