Chinese gov't demands greater transparency

BEIJING - The general office of the State Council, or China's cabinet, on Thursday issued a document calling for greater transparency regarding governmental information disclosures to the public.

Information concerning the fiscal budget, affordable housing, food safety, environmental protection, land requisitions and housing demolition should be disclosed in a more transparent manner, according to the document.

Central and provincial government departments should expedite the disclosure of fiscal budgets to the public and add more detail to the mentioned information, the document said.

The document specifically calls for more detailed information regarding spending on overseas travel, official receptions and government-procured vehicles, also known as the "three public expenditures," adding that local governments should disclose information on the expenditures within two years of the original purchase.

Local governments should also disclose more information on affordable housing projects to ensure fairness in the construction and rental of such projects, the document said.

Information regarding food safety standards and violations should also be publicized, the document said.

The document also calls for more extensive information disclosures related to pollution monitoring, water and air quality and compensation for people who have been relocated following land requisitions.