The State Council ordered the provincial government to disclose expenditures on reception, overseas travel and official vehicles to the public starting this year and the city and county governments to disclose expenditures by 2015.

This is progress for transparency on government finances, but more needs to be done to translate the progress into taxpayer benefits, said an article in the Southern Metropolis Daily (excerpts below).

The government's high expenditures give officials great leeway for corruption. Disclosing expenditures for public scrutiny is necessary for today's government.

The people must have a grassroots channel to report city and county government financial wrongdoings to the authorities.

The National People's Congress and its branches should fulfill their duties as the top lawmakers in China and the representatives of the people.