China would gradually make public government officials' assets, Zhao Qizheng, spokesman for the annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said in Beijing yesterday (March 2).
The disclosure of officials' assets would take time because China had nearly 10 million public servants and a large number of people working in government-affiliated institutions, Zhao told a press conference.
Government officials are now required to report to their work places not only their income, property and investments, but also whether their spouses or children live, overseas he said.
"Many things have to be done, step by step, before the definition of assets is made clear," he said.
Members of the CPPCC would conduct more research and propose improving the existing regulations governing the disclosure of government officials' assets, Zhao said.
Meanwhile, China should be cautious about "Internet mercenaries", a group of people posting comments online to manipulate public opinion, Zhao said.
The influence of public opinion via the Internet was becoming stronger as more people used the channel to exchange views and participate in political issues, Zhao said, noting that China had 457 million Internet users by the end of last year.
The CPPCC annual session will open today in Beijing.
