Higher administrative costs seen among govt departments

BEIJING - The Chinese central government departments had to spend 1.42 percent more than previous year in fulfilling its administrative duties and maintaining their operation in 2011, Finance Minister Xie Xuren said on Wednesday.

In a final report on the implementation of the 2011 Budget to the current session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Xie said combined administrative costs of those central government departments totaled 89.97 billion yuan ($14.28 billion).

Xie noted officials from the central government departments used only 9.34 billion yuan of public money for receptions, overseas tours and vehicle use, which is considered as key areas of corruption.