China's top economic planning agency has promised to publish detailed expenditures of the country's 4-trillion-yuan (585.5 billion U.S.dollars) stimulus package, responding to the request of the public for administrative transparency.
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.
Step by step publicity
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.
Millions of netizens requested the commission 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 4-trillion-yuan stimulus package, and related information shall be fully open to the public," Vice Minister Mu said.
China kicked off the 4-trillion stimulus plan in November to buoy the economy during the financial crisis. It included 1.18 trillion yuan from the central government. The 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.
Citizens may make inquiries to the NDRC at any time by phone (010-68503333), fax (010-68502222), e-mail (http://zfxxgk.ndrc.gov.cn/apply. aspx) or by letter for information if they have any doubt about expenditures in some regions or for certain projects, Mu said.
