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Boss begs reporter to go easy on company gluttony
By Ni Tao |
May 9, 2013, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THERE are strong signs of late that the injunction against officials dining at public expense has reaped some results.
For one thing, the prices of premium liquor and exotic delicacies have dropped, and the number of official banquets appears to be appreciably slashed, if not simply moved to secluded, more private places.
For another, the campaign is strengthening the hands of reporters who expose official gluttons.
According to media reports, the annual earnings reports of listed companies show that China Railway Construction Co, a state-owned infrastructure giant, spent 837 million yuan (US$136 million) on banquets and receptions last year, eclipsing all others.
The company's initial response to the media inquiry and public outrage is that "there is nothing to fault the expense for," according to Qi Xiaofei, the firm's internal disciplinary chief.
The expected backlash compelled the railway behemoth to tone down Qi's words.
When interviewed by China National Radio on Monday, a public relations manager begged the reporter to halt the bad publicity, citing the broader damage it will do to public confidence and company image.
The manager, quoted anonymously, said pricey banquets are common among infrastructure companies, and went on to complain about media bias against state-owned enterprises (SOEs). However, the firm will apply to regulators to break down 837 million yuan for scrutiny.
Compared to snubs and threats common in the past, this time the media is treated with rare respect and awe. Does the firm's new deference justify showing mercy on it for spending US$136 million of taxpayers' money on wining and dining?
If the PR manager isn't that naive, he or she should know that the probe will only deepen and spread industry-wide now that clues are divulged.
Last year alone, the 10 biggest loss-making public companies are all SOEs.
However, the poor bottom lines didn't seem to dampen their appetites.
The public should ignore pleas for mercy and dig deeper to learn how their money is spent. Threats won't stop the probe, nor will supplication.
For one thing, the prices of premium liquor and exotic delicacies have dropped, and the number of official banquets appears to be appreciably slashed, if not simply moved to secluded, more private places.
For another, the campaign is strengthening the hands of reporters who expose official gluttons.
According to media reports, the annual earnings reports of listed companies show that China Railway Construction Co, a state-owned infrastructure giant, spent 837 million yuan (US$136 million) on banquets and receptions last year, eclipsing all others.
The company's initial response to the media inquiry and public outrage is that "there is nothing to fault the expense for," according to Qi Xiaofei, the firm's internal disciplinary chief.
The expected backlash compelled the railway behemoth to tone down Qi's words.
When interviewed by China National Radio on Monday, a public relations manager begged the reporter to halt the bad publicity, citing the broader damage it will do to public confidence and company image.
The manager, quoted anonymously, said pricey banquets are common among infrastructure companies, and went on to complain about media bias against state-owned enterprises (SOEs). However, the firm will apply to regulators to break down 837 million yuan for scrutiny.
Compared to snubs and threats common in the past, this time the media is treated with rare respect and awe. Does the firm's new deference justify showing mercy on it for spending US$136 million of taxpayers' money on wining and dining?
If the PR manager isn't that naive, he or she should know that the probe will only deepen and spread industry-wide now that clues are divulged.
Last year alone, the 10 biggest loss-making public companies are all SOEs.
However, the poor bottom lines didn't seem to dampen their appetites.
The public should ignore pleas for mercy and dig deeper to learn how their money is spent. Threats won't stop the probe, nor will supplication.
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