A more reasonable promotion system for government officials will
help stop the fabrication of gross domestic product (GDP)
indicators prevalent in local governments, says a signed article in
Yanzhao Metropolis News. An excerpt follows:
In the country's 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010) for economic
development, the goal of average yearly economic growth was set at
7.5 percent. However, in the economic programme drafted by the 31
provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities nationwide, the
average GDP growth was set at 10.1 percent and was as high as 13
percent in some regions.
There are more than one expected GDP indicators nationwide, a
macro-economics researcher pointed out. All provinces, cities,
counties and subordinate administrative organs have their own
expanded GDP figures, he said.
Such blind pursuit of major GDP indictors is absolutely
incompatible with the basic economic development principle and will
bring negative effects to the country.
One of its direct results is the prevalence of GDP fabrication
among grassroots governments and less efficient investment.
According to a grass-roots official in a township in Zhumadian,
a city in Central China's Henan Province, his colleagues have almost
been numb to GDP indicators and have never carefully compiled GDP
statistics. All economic indicators reported to higher governments
are arbitrary, he told China Economic Weekly.
This is an extremely abnormal social phenomenon that deserves
attention from departments concerned.
The crux for this is the long existence of the officials'
promotion system, in which local officials' performances are gauged
mainly by local GDP development. The fact that promotion stems from
figures has directly resulted in concocted statistical data and the
blind pursuit of investment expansion, while no heed is paid to the
real economic effects.
To stop such kinds of malpractice, a more scientific promotion
system should be created to evaluate performances of officials and
then decide whether they will be promoted or demoted on the basis
of the unbiased evaluation.
(China Daily May 17, 2006)