Central government public security budget grows 9pc
China’s Ministry of Finance released the central government’s 2013 budget on Monday, a week after the annual national parliamentary convention. The budget for internal security was set at 128.9 billion yuan (HK$161 billion), up 10.6 billion yuan or 9 per cent from a year before.
China unveiled its central government 2013 public security budget this week, which showed a 9 per cent year-on-year increase.
The public security budget has grown 76.1 per cent since 2009. Although it has seen annual increases over the past three years, growth is slowing, with increases of 17.1 and 10.2 per cent in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Officially referred to as “public security”, the budget covers expenditure for the nation’s armed police force, police, courts, jails and overall state security.
The bulk of the budget, 100.6 billion yuan, was allocated to the armed police force whose role is to maintain social stability, handle emergencies, combat terrorism and assist the army in defensive operations. Most of the increased funds will be used to improve meals, equipment and apartment buildings.