RTR8INQ.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
China launched an official military procurement website on Sunday to bring transparency amid corruption scandals surrounding top officials of the People's Liberation Army.
The website contains a list of more than 350 items from satellite equipment to domestic-made information systems that will be procured for the military, Bloomberg reported.
The release of procurement information is on the first working day of every January and July, according to the website.
Qin Zhen, an executive editor with the Beijing-based magazine Ordnance Knowledge, said that the site does not contain information of major weapons platform, such as jet fighter and main tanks, as well as crucial accessories.
"Unlike foreign countries, our private enterprises still lack capacity and experience in major weaponry manufacturing. But they may exceed major military industry groups in less important accessories, including computer chips, and be able to offer the military products with a high performance-price ratio," Qin pointed out.
Private enterprises, military armament-purchasing departments and military industry groups as well as personnel can register on the website for consultation and further information, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
"It would be a legitimate, open and transparent competition for all the parties," said Xia Qingyue, deputy director of the planning department of the PLA's General Armament Department.
"Either military industry groups or the private sector could participate in bidding on the deals as long as they meet certain eligibility requirements," People's Daily reported.
There is an ongoing crackdown on some PLA officials involved in corruption and rigging of procurement supplies.
One of the accused, General Xu Caihou, vice chariman of the Central Military Commission who supervised the military under previous President Hu Jintao, faces anti-corruption probes in the sweeping anti-graft campaign launched by President Xi Jinping.
