Fiscal spending to be cut

General fiscal spending will be further reduced in the second half of this year, the Ministry of Finance announced Friday in a statement on its website.

Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said Friday that a reduction of general fiscal spending is the top priority for the second half of 2013.

General fiscal spending includes government spending on receptions, vehicles and overseas trips, also known as "the three public consumptions."

Fiscal revenue growth has been lower this year than in recent years amid China's economic slowdown.

Premier Li Keqiang said when he took office in March that under the new leadership the three public consumptions would be reduced. President Xi Jinping also called for an effort to curb excessive spending.