Official urges audit office independence

Deputy Auditor-General Xiang Junbo said China's auditor general's office should be set up in parallel with the State Council, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Supreme People's Court and report directly to the National People's Congress and its standing committee, state media reported. It currently reports to the State Council. Xiang's idea has reportedly drawn support from other audit officials who argue its independence needs to be safeguarded.