From Chinese Press

Timely gag on glib talk

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-02-16 07:55

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint notice recently to further regularize and tighten management on international conferences held in China. The measures include reducing the number and controlling the scale of conferences, and cutting expenses, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

International conferences can promote communication in culture, academics, and even economy, and help increase the world's knowledge about China. The decision to reduce the number of conferences is not aimed at closing the door on international conferences and cutting off global exchanges.

Though such exchanges are necessary, their focus should be on practical results instead of the "unparalleled" pomp that many departments and local governments pursue regardless of the national and local conditions. Pompous conferences, outdated and abandoned in many developed countries, have caused great inconvenience and trouble to people in China. That holding international conferences is considered an administrative achievement for some government officials is another important reason behind this phenomenon.

Hopefully, the ministries' notice will curb this ostentatious trend, because it has strict and detailed regulations on conference expenses. If national and local screening and approval systems are followed strictly, the situation could be reversed.

Besides, an accountability system and social supervision are needed to expose unlawful practices of some officials.

(China Daily 02/16/2011 page9)