China urges credit cards for govt staff

BEIJING - China's Ministry of Finance and the central bank have jointly issued a document urging for the quicker implementation of specialized credit cards to be used by public servants.

The credit cards are for public service employees to use for their expenses, including business travels and conferences.

The document has ordered all central government departments to implement the system to all its units before the end of 2012. Some departments are ordered to issue such cards to their staff before the end of the month, a statement on the MOF's website said on Thursday.

For local regions, the system should be expanded in provincial government departments and municipal governments. Meanwhile, it should also be implemented top-down to the township level, the statement said.

The special cards, with account numbers starting with 628, carry the normal functions of credit cards, but they also serve as a tool for the management of state budget. Clear records of transactions on the cards are traceable, which can boost fiscal transparency and contribute to anti-corruption efforts.