Premier pledges oversight of government assistance funds

Authorities to ensure transfer payments make their way to the grassroots level

Premier Li Keqiang pledged on Thursday to bolster oversight over the use of government funds and make government aid policies more targeted and timely as part of broader measures to promote clean governance.

In a speech delivered at a State Council teleconference on clean governance, Li said the government will tighten discipline and improve the conduct of officials in the face of unprecedented risks and challenges.

Officials must govern for the people and ensure six priorities and stability in six areas, which is also a test for the government's power of implementation and its work style, he said. The six priorities are safeguarding employment, people's livelihoods, the development of market entities, food and energy security, the stable operation of industrial and supply chains, and the smooth functioning of society.

He urged local authorities and different departments to strictly enforce the special transfer payment mechanism and ensure that the newly added fiscal funds can be channeled directly to the grassroots level.

Governments at various levels must tighten their belts, cut their expenditures and ensure that their funds can be used where they are needed most, he said, adding that utmost efforts must be made to protect jobs, ensure public livelihoods and help market players.

He warned against the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratic acts, saying that misconduct in all forms will be resolutely corrected.

Anyone who dares to use funds earmarked for public well-being for corrupt purposes will be held accountable, he said.

The premier urged governments at various levels to act in line with the practice, adopt measures in a timely manner and excel in using reform to solve difficult issues and diffuse risks.

It is also important to continuously reduce the burden on the grassroots level governments and consolidate outcomes on cutting red tape so that primary-level officials can stay focused on their work, he added.

Li underscored that problems such as corruption and infringing on public interest must be rectified, and government workers at various levels should get used to performing their duties under oversight.

They must also serve the public interest with clean conduct and work diligently for the people, the premier said.

Li reiterated the importance of coordinating epidemic containment and socioeconomic development, adopting concrete measures in flood prevention, disaster relief and work safety and striving to attain the targets and tasks for social and economic development this year.