Budget disclosures show cuts in provincial spending

Eighteen of the 31 provincial-level governments on the Chinese mainland had released budgets online as of Thursday, showing a drop in spending on overseas trips, vehicles and receptions.

Such spending - known as the "three public consumptions" - has sparked public concern in recent years because of the large sum of money and lack of transparency.

Nearly all 18 authorities have cut their budgets for overseas trips, vehicles and receptions, although mostly by slight margins.