Xinhua quoted the Ministry of Finance said central government departments spending on vehicle purchases and maintenance totalled CNY 6.17 billion in 2010.

The ministry said in an online statement that spending on overseas trips and receptions were registered at CNY 1.77 billion and CNY 1.53 billion respectively last year. It is the first time that such spending by central government departments has been officially disclosed.

Mr Jiang Hong director of the Public Policy Research Center affiliated to the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics said "The move aims to let the public understand and oversee how the government spends public money."

Expenditures of central government departments on vehicle purchases and maintenance, overseas trips and receptions are dubbed the three public consumptions. Excessive spending on the three items has long been viewed as sources of possible government corruption and waste.

(Sourced from Xinhua)