Chinese premier calls for clean governance

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for building a clean government and further advancing the anti-graft work in government system.

Li made the remarks at a State Council meeting on clean governance on Feb. 9 and the full text of his speech was published on Friday.

The premier said significant results were achieved in anti-graft work last year, with rectified workstyles, delegated powers and tightened administration of public funds.

However, Li said corruption still plagues the government in some sectors, largely because a minority of officials have too much power to give approvals and mete out benefits.

The premier vowed to delegate or cancel more power and administrative examination and approval items to eradicate any rent-seeking space.

The pre-approval process of investment projects will be significantly slashed this year, while all examinations for non-administrative permission will be canceled, the premier said.

He also urged the government to clean intermediary service sectors, breaking monopolies and strengthening regulation so as to eradicate the "grey zone" of administrative examinations and approvals.

The central and local governments should make lists of those who have certain powers and their responsibilities, Li said.

The premier vowed to strengthen regulation of using public funds, pledging to put government income and expenditure under budgetary management and offer "a readable account book" to the public.

"Every single penny of government expenses should be subject to auditing supervision," he said. "Supervision over state-owned assets and enterprises should be tightened to make sure no national property is pocketed by a small number of corrupt officials."

Li asked officials at all levels to act on what they say and avoid empty talk. All major missions must have clear division of work with time limits. All policies and decisions made must be subject to supervision and inspection.

To fight corruption, Li urged officials to tackle root causes of problems and build systems according to laws.

He pledged to keep up the tough stance against graft, severely punishing corrupt officials and restraining power in "the cage of regulations." Endi