China to publicize stimulus package details

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-02 08:31

Chinese government body yielded to public pressure Sunday for administrative transparency and promised to disclose detailed expenditures of the country's four-trillion-yuan (US$585.5 billion) stimulus package.

Mu Hong, vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), told Xinhua that the commission would release information about the expenditures on its website (www.ndrc.gov.cn) and accept public enquiry.

How the huge amount of money in the package would be spent has been under the spotlight of the Chinese public for months.

Yan Yiming, a Shanghai lawyer specializing in securities, made request with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and NDRC earlier this year to make public the detailed expenditure of the hefty stimulus package. If unsatisfied, he even threatened to sue the government bodies.

And millions of netizens requested the commission to release details on the massive spending as they are concerned with possible fund misuse, corruption and the effect on macroeconomic control.

"It is reasonable that people show great concern over the expenditures of the four-trillion-yuan stimulus package, and related information shall be fully open to the public", Vice Minister Mu said.

He noted the government has been trying to facilitate greater transparency in government affairs. The government has already started to release information on the massive spending to the public after the stimulus package was hammered out in November, he said.

China kicked off the four-trillion stimulus plan in November to buoy the economy from the financial crisis. It included 1.18 trillion yuan from the central government. The massive amount would be spent over two years to finance programs in 10 major areas.

As the government budget and infrastructure construction projects are set on an annual basis, specific spendings could be released only after they are approved by the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, Mu explained.

People could enquire NDRC anytime for information if they had any doubt about expenditures in some region or certain project, Mu said.

The public could request specific information of the plan by phone (010-68503333), fax (010-68502222), email (http://zfxxgk.ndrc.gov.cn/apply. aspx) or letter.