Beijing bans ‘general-use’ official cars to curb misuse
But officials above ministerial or official level still get to keep vehicle privileges
Beijing has ordered all government bureaus and agencies to halt the use of all general-purpose official vehicles, in its latest crackdown on government extravagance and waste.
These general-use cars, which can be used by any authorised government officer for whatever purpose, should be decomissioned and sold through open bidding or at auction, according to a central government regulation issued yesterday.
“Official cars for general use will be cancelled and only the special vehicles for law enforcement, confidential communications, emergency services, [and] special and technical needs can be reserved,” stated the 65-item, 12-chapter regulation.
However, senior officials above ministerial and provincial levels will keep enjoying the privilege of official cars. The new policy also allows business transportation subsidies for officials.
The misuse of official vehicles on the mainland has long been criticised. From time to time, media reports have surfaced about public servants using the cars for their personal excursions or errands.
The central government owns, in total, more than two million official cars, with an annual expenditure of as much as 200 billion yuan (HK$244 billion), reported local media.
