chinese-flag-national.jpg
In a move to support the central government's thrust to cut government spending, 28 provincial governments have trimmed-down their budgets for foreign trips, public feasts and official government vehicles.
The provinces' decision on budget reduction was reached during their respective yearly people's congress sessions. Of China's 31 provinces situated on the mainland, only the 28 provinces have had their sessions as of Thursday. The three other provincial governments are set to have their annual session next month.
Aside from cutting down unnecessary expenses, the 28 provincial governments likewise pledged to upgrade work ethics in their respective provincial governments. Budget reduction to be implemented by the 28 provincial governments on the three expenses mentioned were anywhere from 5 to 30 percent less than their 2013 budget, according to information given by the said provinces.
Of the 28 provincial governments, Zhejiang province has reported the biggest budget cut. According to its governor, Li Qiang on Jan. 16, the province's budget for the three expenses mentioned will be slashed by 30 percent. Savings from the budget cut will be utilized in the province's water projects aimed at upgrading quality of water and reducing water pollution in the province, according to Li.
The provincial governments of Beijing, Guangdong, Shaanxi, Shanghai and Hubei have all reported budget cuts of over 10 percent in the three expenses mentioned. A number of the provincial governments have also drafted rules and guidelines that set limits on public spending on the three expenses. Guangzhou city in Guangdong province for example has fixed the amount they would spend per government vehicle to not more than 37,000 per year.
In Wenzhou city in Zhejang province, the maximum amount to be spent per person in public feasts was pegged at 60 yuan.
