Over 1t yuan worth of fiscal issues fixed

China has rectified fiscal issues amounting to 1.04 trillion yuan ($148 billion), identified in a 2024 audit of its central budget and other revenues, according to a report reviewed during the ongoing session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

About 98 percent of the 2,186 issues requiring immediate action have been resolved. For the 1,299 issues requiring phased rectification and 753 issues needing ongoing attention, authorities have established comprehensive strategies to ensure systematic resolution, according to the report.

In response to the audit findings, officials implemented more than 1,090 new or improved institutional measures. Additionally, over 3,420 individuals were subject to disciplinary actions, the report said.

"The rectification process is progressing smoothly and is effectively addressing systemic issues that could hinder high-quality economic development," Hou Kai, auditor-general of the National Audit Office of China, said while delivering the report.

The report detailed improvements in key public service areas such as education and elderly care. Some 1,668 schools across 123 counties with substandard teaching buildings or dormitories have been scheduled for reconstruction. Funds have been prioritized to enhance school facilities, including the establishment of computer classrooms and the provision of dining furniture for student cafeterias.

Ten provinces have issued pension insurance subsidies to 102,700 farmers who lost their land, and 13 provinces have recovered misused funds amounting to 130.83 billion yuan, according to the report.

In the agricultural sector, 30 counties have restored high-standard farmland previously left idle or used for non-grain crops to resume food production, and 47 grassroots officials involved in subsidy fraud have faced legal action or severe disciplinary measures. Additionally, 16 provinces have addressed issues in agricultural machinery subsidies, recovering 37.37 billion yuan in misused funds and retrieving 1.33 billion yuan in fraudulent claims.

To improve environmental governance, auditors have required 71 noncompliant chemical parks to accelerate the construction of wastewater treatment facilities. Over 30 chemical projects outside approved lists have been halted, and 170 listed chemical enterprises were required to obtain pollution discharge permits or conduct soil pollution assessments after closure or relocation.

The report also highlighted efforts to combat new forms of corruption, focusing on "shadow shareholders", the "revolving door" between politics and business, and abuses of approval, inspection, and punitive powers.