Other Views

Government fund raising abused

Theoretically, government lotteries are to raise additional funds to support public welfare; but in reality lottery agencies become interest groups that derive huge profits from the process. It is urgent to strengthen supervision over the lotteries so that they serve public welfare instead of their own selfish interests.

Shi Zhengwen, director of the Center for Fiscal and Tax Law Research, China University of Political Science and Law, Xinhua News Agency, Dec 7

Management of parking spaces and the nation's lotteries are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the huge public resources under government control, which range from energy, mines and finance to State-owned assets. How to solve the parking space management problem will test the government's will and ability to use public resources for the public good.

CCTV Finance, Dec 7

The government-run lotteries have a special name in China: welfare lotteries, which mean the revenue should serve the public. However, in reality their revenues serve officials, while those who need welfare can hardly get any. What will the suffering people think when they know the truth? Who will trust the government anymore when they find officials dare embezzle all the money?

Qianjiang Evening News, Dec 8

Drivers who use urban parking spaces should pay for them, and the fees should be spent on construction and upkeep of roads, this is for the public good. Those who divide the cake of parking fees among themselves have actually stolen public money and must be held responsible for their misdeeds. China has more than 300 million automobile drivers. Please do not take their money!

Guangming Daily, Dec 8

The root problem of the urban parking fee chaos is that certain local governments entrust the power to agencies, with both sides deriving a profit. More supervision over this power is needed to prevent it from seeking rent.

Wang Limei, secretary general of China Road Transport Association, Economic Daily, Dec 8