Graphic: A Look Below the Surface at 'Sangong' Spending, Profits SOEs Gave Up

(Beijing) – The Ministry of Finance and the National Audit Office recently provided two annual reports to the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, regarding the budget of the central government and audit results for last year.

Two numbers are getting the most attention in domestic media reports. The first is that 7 billion yuan was spent on "sangong," or the "three public expenses" of overseas travel, public vehicles and hospitality. The second is the 6.5 billion yuan in profits from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) budgeted for spending on welfare programs.