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Better results than expected were obtained in implementing
China's 2003 central and local budgets, but there are still
problems that cannot be ignored, Chinese Finance Minister Jin
Renqing said in Beijing Saturday.
In his report on central and local budgets delivered to the
national legislature's annual session, Jin listed the problems as
follows:
-- Revenue is seriously stretched to meet expenditures and the
problem is so severe that the government lacks the financial
resources to do many things that need to be done;
-- Potential risks arising in the course of economic development
constantly impinge on budget implementation, hence it is very
difficult to prevent and defuse financial risks;
--- The pattern of expenditures still needs to be adjusted and
the government does not yet give more financial support to the
development of social undertakings, with people still not having
adequate access to schools, doctors, potable water and
transportation in some regions, especially in rural areas;
-- Primary-level authorities in some areas still have financial
difficulties, as is manifested in delayed wage payments there;
and
-- Falsification of accounts, tax evasion and fraud, and
extravagance and waste remain serious problems, with the
financialand economic order yet to be further standardized and
budgetary funds to be used more efficiently.
"We must deal with these problems conscientiously and solve them
step by step by increasing our sense of urgency and mission,
enhancing our sense of responsibility when handling financial
affairs in the interest of our people, accelerating the development
of the public finance system and working energetically to improve
the socialist market economy," the minister said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2004)
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