China’s 4 trillion yuan stimulus continues to draw public’s attention
During the Eleventh National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the global financial crisis and China’s economic stimulus package have emerged as the dominant themes of speeches and discussions. Prior to conference, Mu Hong, the vice director of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced to the media on March 2 that the details of four-trillion-yuan stimulus plan would be publicly accessible. “Should the public have any doubt about where exactly the investment goes to in a certain field and a certain area, they can inquire the specific information from NDRC at any time,” he announced.
At a State Council press conference held on November 27th last year, NDRC presented the basic details of the stimulus package. But since 2009, more people have turned their attention to how the investment is implemented. Yan Yiming, a lawyer from Shanghai, garnered domestic and international media attention when he submitted an application for information disclosure to the NDRC and Ministry of Finance respectively on January 8th, requesting disclosure of all projects receiving stimulus money. In the section session of the CPPCC, the representatives also pointed out that the four-trillion-yuan stimulus plan was as important as their own livelihoods during the financial crisis. Liu Jiayi, auditor general of National Audit Office, announced on February 19th that no abuse of the investment has been found so far; Li Zhaoxing, spokesperson for the first press conference of the second session of the 11th NPC, also noted that the investment procedure complied with the law and was under stringent regulation. Yet despite all these positive remarks, the public’s concern remains unaddressed before valid figures and data are disclosed.
Taking a look at the NDRC recent announcement on public access to the details of the stimulus plan reveals one important theme. Even though the public can make inquiries through phone calls, emails, and letters, the examination, approval, and direction of the investment still falls into the category of information disclosure only upon request. In the catalogue of information disclosure by the NDRC, there is no explicit provision on whether these kinds of items should be affirmatively disclosed by the government. A reporter from the Oriental Morning Post believes that, according to the national government’s information disclosure regulations, the implementation of this public investment – by far the largest of its kind for the Chinese government – should be disclosed affirmatively. According to the NDRC’s announcement of the four trillion yuan stimulus plan last November, the investment will go to:
- Construction for livelihood;
- Rural areas in need, agriculture, and farmers;
- Infrastructure construction;
- Health, culture and education;
- Ecological and environmental protection; as well as
- Proprietary innovation and restructuring.
Since Article ten of the Government Information Disclosure Regulation clearly states that the information that shall be affirmatively disclosed includes “(8) the approval and implementation of major construction projects, (9) policies, measures and their implementation of poverty alleviation, education, medical care, social insurance and employment promotion,” it seems that the details of how the four trillion yuan is used should be included.
The opening of the stimulus plan to public inquiry is an encouraging signal, but it would be more encouraging if the information were disclosed actively, without the need for public application.
Relevant Links (Chinese)：
发改委副主任:欢迎公众随时查询4万亿元投向
“4万亿”投资信息该如何公开
律师申请公开四万亿行踪 相关部门称将依法处理
律师再试水政府信息公开，申请公布救市行踪
刘家义:尚未发现4万亿使用中存重大违法违规问题
中国4万亿经济方案符合法定程序 三措防重复建设
代表委员聚焦“4万亿”投向与监督
国家发改委详解4万亿投资构成
发展改革委主任张平详解４万亿元投资
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