Asia

China official spending on perks well under budget last year

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Chinese men waves goodbye as another leave in a car after exiting from the VIP exit of the Beijing Capital airport usually reserved for officials and other dignitaries returning from overseas in Beijing, China, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Amid an ongoing austerity drive, China's Finance Ministry says official spending on overseas travel, vehicles and entertainment was almost 15 percent less than budgeted last year. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (The Associated Press)

Chinese staff transfer pieces of luggage from the VIP exit of the Beijing Capital airport that is usually reserved for officials and other dignitaries returning from overseas in Beijing, China, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Amid an ongoing austerity drive, China's Finance Ministry says official spending on overseas travel, vehicles and entertainment was almost 15 percent less than budgeted last year. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (The Associated Press)

Chinese men leave from the VIP exit of the Beijing Capital airport usually reserved for officials and other dignitaries returning from overseas in Beijing, China, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Amid an ongoing austerity drive, China's Finance Ministry says official spending on overseas travel, vehicles and entertainment was almost 15 percent less than budgeted last year. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (The Associated Press)

Amid an ongoing austerity drive, China's Finance Ministry says official spending on overseas travel, vehicles and entertainment was almost 15 percent less than budgeted last year.

A report on the ministry's website Wednesday said just 5.37 billion yuan ($826 million) was spent last year out of a budget of 6.31 billion ($970).

It said that although this year's budget for the three items is only slightly lower, spending will continue to be tightly controlled.

As China's economy slows, belt-tightening has been ordered across the government. President Xi Jinping has ordered officials to cut back on banquets and other non-essentials and has overseen a sweeping anti-corruption campaign that has further reduced spending and abuses of privilege.

The ministry said other factors, including changes in the international situation, also held down spending.