BEIJING, (Reuters) – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has again expressed his frustration with officials who are ignoring orders to reduce bureaucracy amid an economic slowdown, blasting them for being little better than the corrupt cadres the government is trying to root out.
Li has repeatedly criticised officials over the past year or so for being slack and lazy in implementing Beijing’s policy directives as they kept their heads down to stay out of trouble during President Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-graft campaign. In May the government sent out 11 investigation teams to 18 provinces and cities to ensure orders are being followed, a report from which was given to the Cabinet this week.
“This investigation was a shove in the back” for government departments, Li told a Cabinet meeting, according to a government statement released late on Wednesday. “The aim is to vigorously enforce policy implementation.”
