3. Public Finance Budgets for 2013

On the basis of the targets for economic and social development in 2013, the economic and social policies, and the general requirements for compiling budgets determined at the Central Economic Work Conference, we have set the following targets for public finance budgets in 2013.

Revenue of the central government is projected to reach 6.006 trillion yuan, up 7% on the actual figure for 2012 (here and below). Adding the 100 billion yuan from the central budget stabilization fund, revenue in 2013 should amount to 6.106 trillion yuan. Central government expenditure is estimated at 6.956 trillion yuan, up 8.4%. This consists of 2.0203 trillion yuan incurred at the central level, 4.8857 trillion yuan paid out as tax rebates and transfer payments to local governments, and 50 billion yuan of reserve funds for the central budget. Total expenditure will therefore exceed total revenue, leaving a deficit of 850 billion yuan, 300 billion yuan more than in 2012. The ceiling for the outstanding balance on government bonds in the central budget stands at 9.120835 trillion yuan.

Graphics shows the budgetary balance of Chinese central government finances for 2013, according to the report on the implementation of central and local budgets in 2012 and on draft central and local budgets for 2013, which was submitted for review on March 5, 2013 at the first annual session of the 12th National People's Congress and was adopted on March 17. [Xinhua]

Revenue collected by local governments is projected to be 6.657 trillion yuan, up 9%. Adding the 4.8857 trillion yuan in tax rebates and transfer payments from the central government, revenue of local governments should amount to 11.5427 trillion yuan. Local government expenditure is expected to come to 11.7543 trillion yuan, up 9.9%. Adding the 138.4 billion yuan used to repay the principal on local government bonds, total expenditure will come to 11.8927 trillion yuan. Total expenditure exceeds total revenue by 350 billion yuan, which will be made up, with the approval of the State Council, by the Ministry of Finance issuing bonds on behalf of local governments and incorporated into provincial-level government budgets. (As revenue and expenditure budgets of local governments are compiled by local people's governments and subject to approval of people's congresses at their respective levels, related data is still being collected. The abovementioned revenue and expenditure figures of local budgets have been compiled by the central finance authorities.)

Combining central and local budgets, national revenue will come to 12.663 trillion yuan, an increase of 8%. Including the 100 billion yuan from the central budget stabilization fund, total available revenue is projected to be 12.763 trillion yuan. National expenditure is budgeted at 13.8246 trillion yuan, up 10%. Adding the 138.4 billion yuan used to repay the principal on local government bonds, total expenditure will come to 13.963 trillion yuan. Total expenditure is projected to exceed total revenue by 1.2 trillion yuan, an increase of 400 billion yuan from last year. This deficit is equivalent to about 2% of GDP.