Local governments must be more accountable

Lack of transparency breeds corruption and adds to the risk of government debt, said an article in China Business News (excerpts below).

A report on government financial transparency issued by Tsinghua University recently reveals that none of the 289 sampled city governments met the standards set in accordance with international conventions.

Most local governments only disclosed their financial situation and expenditure just because they were ordered by a higher authority to do so.

It is difficult for people to get access to relevant financial information of local governments.

The National People's Congress, China's legislature, must fulfill its responsibility of supervising local government operations and financial conditions.