By Li Hongmei
China's armed forces have been mandated to choose domestic brands when procuring military vehicles, according to a circular published yesterday.
The purchase of new military cars should be arranged within a centralized system and vehicles should be domestic brands, said the document issued by the four headquarters of the Chinese People's Liberation Army - General Staff Headquarters, General Political Department, General Logistics Department and General Armament Department.
The document, aimed at promoting frugality and cutting down on waste in military and armed police forces, was issued after the approval of the Central Military Commission and its chairman, President Xi Jinping.
The document said money used by the army should be strictly regulated and budgeting processes improved.
Income and expenses should be managed by a centralized system and reforms are needed in accounting and asset management. The document urged strengthened supervision over spending and administrative costs.
Spending on domestic and overseas business trips should also be strictly controlled, it said. The number of staff members on trips, as well as days needed and places to visit should be limited to the minimum necessary. Transport, food and accommodation during the trips should follow regulations.
The document also stressed frugality in official receptions held by military units.
Personal banquets financed with public funds as well as giving or accepting money, securities, souvenirs and local products are banned.
As part of efforts to cut unnecessary meetings and activities, the circular said celebrations, forums, exhibitions and performances should be strictly controlled.
The costs of such activities will not be earmarked in military expenditure budgets, except those arranged by the Party's Central Committee, the CMC and PLA headquarters, it said.
The document also urged efforts to rein in extravagance in military offices and the allocation of houses for officers.
Leaders and senior-level officers should take the lead in putting the requirements into practice, the circular said.
It said that supervision by Party committees, disciplinary authorities, inspectors and the public should be employed to rule out extravagance in the army.
An Internet user in Shantou City in southern Guangdong Province commented on Sina Weibo that not only the PLA but also government and state institutes should purchase domestic brands of cars.
Another in Tianjin City said he strongly supported domestic brands, and every country around the world supported its own products.
Others said the PLA's support for domestic brands would help the nation's auto industry prosper.
