China's central government will set aside a record 150 billion yuan (US$18.07 billion) this year as part of its annual budget to buoy rural development.

"The figure will be approximately 30 billion yuan (US$3.61 billion) more than last year's spending," said Chen Xiwen, deputy director of the office of Central Financial Work Leading Group, at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council in Beijng Monday.

The added money will be used mainly to support rural tax reforms, upgrade ecological conditions, develop education, health care and training for young farmers, build more infrastructure facilities and speed up poverty reduction in rural areas, he said.

The Ministry of Finance has basically passed the budget plan, which was expected to be submitted to the upcoming National People's Congress in March for deliberation and enforcement, according to Chen.
 
(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2004)