InfoAnda - Chinese officials punished for lavish US tour

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Walmart.com offers top 10 pre-order DVD movie titles at $10 | Technology | | 5 November 2009
Iran says foreign troops no help to region's security | International | | 25 May 2009
EU agency recommends first two H1N1 flu vaccines | International | | 25 September 2009

Yemen says Fort Hood-linked imam may be dead | | 24 December 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Chinese officials punished for lavish US tour

Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Chinese officials punished for lavish US tour By CARA ANNA,Associated Press Writer AP - Saturday, December 6 BEIJING - The Chinese bureaucrats who spent taxpayers' money on a $700-a-night Las Vegas hotel and visits to Hawaiian beaches and a San Francisco sex show might have gotten away with it if someone hadn't lost a bag on the Shanghai subway. The dozens of documents and receipts in the bag, with officials' names and enthusiastic comments attached, were swiftly posted on the Internet, spreading like wildfire across Chinese cyberspace over the past week. That brought swift punishment for some officials involved _ and another disgusted shrug from Chinese citizens all-too-familiar with corruption. Officials gambling and spending government money on shopping sprees and sightseeing during overseas trips is hardly new. But making the lurid details public certainly is, illustrating the growing power of the Chinese public to use the Internet to expose wrongdoing. "These are public resources, and people have the right to know how they were used," Wang Xixin, a law professor at Peking University, told The Associated Press Friday. The bag was thought to have been left on the subway by a travel agent, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. The man who posted them online described himself as an IT engineer _ and an angry one. The documents chronicle the adventures of 23 officials from the eastern city of Wenzhou during five days of a three-week trip that cost taxpayers $94,000, Xinhua reported. Their Communist Party committee has demanded repayment of all unapproved expenses. Xinhua said the group visited nearly a dozen cities, many more than authorized, and spent just five days on official business _ far fewer than ordered. The reasons for the trip? Everything from "An Overview of American History" to "Honest and Clean Government Management." The documents portray the officials as gushing with satisfaction over their travels. "The guide did a great job ... including the homosexual show," wrote one of a stop in San Francisco. The authenticity of the documents could not be independently verified and telephones at the Wenzhou Communist Party committee's office rang unanswered Friday. State media reported that four Wenzhou officials had been given warnings over the trip, a light punishment that appeared to reflect lax attitudes toward such abuses despite repeated demands by communist leaders to crack down on corruption. The party's top official for discipline, He Guoqiang, was quoted Friday as calling for intensified efforts to combat corruption among party members. "We must have a clear vision on this," He told officials at a seminar in Beijing, according to Xinhua. "The anti-corruption situation will remain grave and complicated." Government junkets arranged around loosely defined training goals are a favorite perk for Chinese bureaucrats, who until recently had little chance to travel abroad. The Los Angeles-based company that arranged the trip, All Americas Inc., says on its Web site that it arranges trips for more than 400 Chinese government delegations a year to the United States and Europe for "touring, trade shows, seminars etc." The Wenzhou officials might have gotten off lightly because they denied gambling _ an illegal act in China _ during a two-night stay at the Sahara Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. "It was a first overseas trip for most of them and they were very discreet," Tao Shimei, the director of the disciplinary department for Wenzhou's Communist Party committee was quoted as saying in the China Daily newspaper Friday. While not all visits involve gambling, Sin City remains a favorite of Chinese visitors, with 105,000 traveling there last year, according to Peter Phang, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's chief China representative. "A lot of Chinese itineraries definitely include Las Vegas," Phang said. ___ Associated Press researchers Xi Yue and Yu Bing contributed to this report. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific Car bomb kills 20 in northwest Pakistan's PeshawarAP - 1 hour 44 minutes ago Torture charge added against Khmer Rouge defendantAP - 2 hours 16 minutes ago Six-nation NKorea talks on track for Beijing, US saysAFP - 2 hours 35 minutes ago Top Indian official admits 'lapses' in attacksAP - 2 hours 35 minutes ago India's Singh hails ally Russia as nuclear, space deals signedAFP - 2 hours 50 minutes ago Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed Big Three automakers face skeptical Congress in rescue plea Cruise ship runs aground in Antarctica Do not disturb eggs: MP reveals Britain's oddest laws Central banks slash interest rates to drive back recession Wall Street plunges as recession becomes reality View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular

Other News on Saturday, 6 December 2008
US envoy says next NKorea nuke talks will be tough
When China will be democratic, Tibet issue will be solved: Dalai Lama
Thaksin's ex-wife Pojaman flies back to Thailand: airline
'L Word' is killing 1 of its major characters
Car bomb kills 17 in Pakistani city of Peshawar
Ousted premier Thaksin's ex-wife returns home
Bill Clinton: US must spend its way out of crisis
Sri Lanka's air force bombs rebels in north
NASA says shuttle to service Hubble telescope in May
Two bomb blasts kill 22 in northwest Pakistan
Revised 'Harry Potter' encyclopedia to be released
Paris gets temple to cinema as Forum des Images reopens
Japan's PM warned of collapse by party comrade
France heads into Chinese storm over Tibet
Anne Heche is pregnant with her second child
Car bomb kills 18 in Pakistani city of Peshawar
Car bomb kills 20 in Pakistani city of Peshawar
Aretha Franklin among performers at King concert
Swiss holiday shoppers shrug off financial crisis
India's Singh hails ally Russia as nuclear, space deals signed
Bill O'Reilly to end syndicated radio show
Koobface virus making rounds on Facebook: McAfee
Co-star: Swayze had `good' energy on `Beast' shoot
Auction companies to implement layoffs
Wall St financiers party like there's no tomorrow -- literally
Top Indian official admits 'lapses' in attacks
Chinese officials punished for lavish US tour
Dalai Lama says a 'democratic' China could resolve Tibet issue
Baghdad mayor dreams big in former rebel bastion
Zac Brown Band hits No. 1 with 'Chicken Fried'
Torture charge added against Khmer Rouge defendant
Six-nation NKorea talks on track for Beijing, US says
New $1 million Nilsson classical music prize
O.J. Simpson sentenced to at least 15 years
105-year-old singer says Hitler was a `good guy'
Car bomb kills 20 in northwest Pakistan's Peshawar
International donors pledge nearly 1 bln dollars to Cambodia: govt
Moderate earthquake shakes northern Japan
Thailand reopens main international airport
Canon unit shedding more than 1,100 contract jobs: officials
India cuts fuel prices on back of dive in global crude costs
India stimulus package first step to revive growth: minister
Big blue diamond on display in London
A first: An oil expo in Baghdad
US spells out Iraq mission under new pact
Obama Internet whizzes barely had iPhones at the start
Israel's military on alert for settler violence
Formula One: Honda exit casts cloud over F1 future
Car bomb kills 20 in northwest Pakistan | International |
Israeli prosecutors close 1 case against Olmert
Fate of auto giants hangs by thread
Venezuela's Chavez puts old allies back in cabinet | International |
Oil prices slide to four-year lows on weak US jobs data
US sheds 533,000 jobs, in sign of deep recession
Palestinians protest at Hebron settler violence | International |
Skiing: Svindal wins on same hill where he crashed last year
Georgia sacks defense, foreign ministers after war | International |
Oil price falls below $40
Indian minister apologizes for 'lapses' in attacks
Travelers leave behind a Thailand still in crisis
US preparing for troop buildup in Afghanistan
Congo agrees to peace talks with eastern rebels | International |
US envoy says next NKorea nuke talks will be tough
Nissan suspends plan to cut 1,680 jobs in Spain
Growth of ads in video games still far away | Technology |
UN treaty boosts protection for endangered species
Honda exit casts cloud over F1 future
Croats stage anti-government Facebook rally | Technology |
Media execs see deal opportunities in downturn | Technology |
Rent your way out of the credit crunch online | Technology |
China releases plans for fuel tax increases
Britain seizes dangerous fake game consoles | Technology |
Oil prices slide to four-year lows on weak US jobs data
Oil price falls below $40
O.J. Simpson sentenced to up to 33 years in prison | Entertainment |
Angelina Jolie tops actress salary list | Entertainment |
Oprah named entertainment's most powerful woman | Entertainment |
Billboard single reviews of Taylor Swift, Jamie Foxx | Entertainment |
Hollywood's No. 1 women: Winfrey and Jolie
Recession puts economic shine on movie comedies | Entertainment |
Coco Chanel joins French biopic vogue | Entertainment |
Paris robbers steal millions from jeweller to stars | Entertainment |
AP NewsAlert
DMX a no-show again, warrant issued _ again
Guitarist sues over 2008 Coldplay hit
The Jonas Brothers top list of celeb charity draws
'Vanities,' a musical, delays its B'way opening
Sale of large collection of Marilyn Monroe photos
Hollywood's No. 1 women: Winfrey and Jolie
Pinup Bettie Page hospitalized after heart attack
Microsoft still interested in Yahoo search: CEO
It's a boy for Jonny Lee Miller and Michele Hicks
UN chief frustrated over lack of democratic steps in Myanmar
Landslide at Malaysian hillside kills 4 people
Death toll from Pakistan car bombing rises to 29
Global minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Landslide at Malaysian hillside kills 4 people
17 killed in dramatic shootout in Philippines
Woman nabbed in Malaysia with drug-soaked towels: report
Pakistan awaits 'proof' on Mumbai terror links
2 Singaporeans arrested for drug trafficking in HK
Return of Thaksin's ex-wife not politically motivated: spokesman
Japan to arrest anti-whaling activists: report
Witness: 'Sopranos' actor knew friend had gun
Landslide kills 4, Malaysia bans hillside projects
Canada's death toll in Afghanistan surpasses 100
Hoax call to Zardari put Pakistan on high alert | International |
'Enough is enough', Britain's Brown tells Mugabe
U.N.'s Ban says world frustration with Myanmar growing | International |
Girl, 8, among 17 dead in Manila shoot-out: police
Vinnie Jones gets into bar fight over role in X-Men
New U.N. Congo troops may take half year to deploy: Ban | International |
Australia rights body wants intersex gender: report | International |
5.1 magnitude quake strikes California
SKorean welder detained for deadly warehouse fire
NY police arrest alleged diamond gang
Official says Papua New Guinea landslide kills 10
First Russian warship in Panama Canal since 1944
Sri Lanka jets hit Tiger positions as ground battles rage: military
Pakistani c.bank sells 24.9 bln rupees of T-bills
Nepal Maoists pledge to discharge child soldiers: UN
US successfully tests anti-missile shield: Pentagon
India promises to open nuclear sector to private players
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 557
China's first private jet hub to open next year
Vietnam auto sales drop for fourth straight month
Indonesia secures five billion dollar emergency loan
Girl, 8, among 17 dead in Manila shoot-out: police
China car sales drop amid slowing economy: state media
Sci-Fi promoter Forrest Ackerman dies | Entertainment |
Britney's album on target for No. 1 debut | Entertainment |
Indie rockers spread Christmas cheer | Entertainment |
Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo releases solo disc | Entertainment |
NKorea vows to exclude Japan from nuclear talks
Indian police arrest 2 men in Mumbai investigation
NKorea says it won't recognise Japan at nuclear talks
Afghan officials investigate 8 deaths at prison
Late unionist Ho See Beng "served Singapore with loyalty and distinction"
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to undergo expansion
Indian police arrest 2 men in Mumbai investigation
Sri Lankan military jets bomb rebel positions
16 killed in dramatic shootout in Philippines
Two Muslim guerrillas captured in southern Philippines
NKorea vows to exclude Japan from nuclear talks
Hoax call fuels Pakistan-Indian tensions
Bollywood hero Khan to tackle Islam, terrorism in new movie
Bollywood's Shah Rukh Khan knighted in Malaysia
Thai political parties attempt to select new PM
NTUC urges firms to carry out "best sourcing" in economic downturn
Israel eases movement on West Bank checkpoint
Defiant Somali pirates await EU navy force
Jewish settlers set fire to Palestinian home | International |
Obama vows to boost infrastructure, broadband
Muslim pilgrims retrace prophet's path | International |
Obama vows to boost US infrastructure
Brown tells Mugabe: Enough is enough | International |
Pressure heaps on Zimbabwe's Mugabe amid cholera crisis
North Korea to ignore Japan at nuclear talks | International |
Somalia's Al Shabaab seize central town | International |
Iran vows to retaliate after rebels kill 16 police | International |
US ag chief: China, US agree on free farm trade
Thai opposition says wins over ruling MPs in power bid | International |
Manny Pacquiao takes on De la Hoya in dream fight
Armenia still rebuilding 20 years after earthquake | International |
India central bank slashes key interest rates
Pakistan's GDP growth to be in range of 3.5-4.5 pct
India's central bank cuts key interest rate
O.J. Simpson prepares for prison | Entertainment |
Guns N' Roses out of ammo? | Entertainment |
Powerful quake rocks East Timor
Sri Lanka: Part of rebel-held highway seized
Thai opposition party says it can form government
Nobel winner Le Clezio: writing was 3rd choice
Ya.com
Three-way tie for lead at Vietnam golf Masters
Ministry reviewing adequacy of town councils’ sinking funds
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01