Central govt to spend less on travels, vehicles, receptions

The central government will spend less on overseas visits, vehicles and receptions this year amid China's frugality efforts, authorities said on Thursday.

The central government will use 7.97 billion yuan (1.28 billion U.S. dollars) on such items in 2013, down 126 million yuan from its actual spending in 2012, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said.

The budget will include 2.14 billion yuan for traveling overseas, 4.40 billion yuan for the purchase and maintenance of government vehicles and 1.43 billion yuan for official receptions, according to the MOF.

In 2012, the central government spent 111 million yuan more than its original budget on such items.

The over-spending last year was caused by the State Post Bureau setting up postal monitoring institutions at levels below provinces, according to an official with the ministry.

The MOF will strictly follow the central government's requirements to cut waste, the source added.