The government will mull over the possibility of publicizing assets of officials to a limited circle as an effort to fight corruption, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday.

Wen Jiabao talked about the threats of corruption at the fifth session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) early in March. [File photo]

"Corruption is the most crucial threat to the ruling party," Wen said at the State Council's annual conference on anti-corruption work, adding that corruption may completely undermine the country's political foundations if not handled properly.

Despite taking consistent measures to fight corruption in previous years, Wen conceded that the overall performance of the government and officials has yet to meet the public's expectations.

"Corruption tends to occur frequently in departments that possess great power and in areas where the management of funds is centralized. Corruption cases involving State-owned enterprises and high-level officials are still serious," Wen said.

The country has not worked out a timetable or any details of the assets declaration policy. If the policy is carried out in the future, Wen said, it will be made public "within a certain range”.

In addition, he called for tighter management of and discipline over officials, especially those whose spouses and children have gone to live overseas.

The money spent on overseas trips, receptions and vehicle purchases and maintenance by government officials will also be strictly controlled. Wen pledged no increase of such government expenditure this year.