China earmarks funds for agriculture, health services

BEIJING - The central government has earmarked 6.93 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) and 27.26 billion yuan to support agricultural modernization and public health services, respectively, in 2013, the Ministry of Finance said Tuesday.

A man harvests corn cobs in Yan'an, Shaanxi province, Nov 5, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

The agriculture funds will be allocated to relevant departments when the 2013 budget year starts, the MOF said, adding that China has allocated a total of 38.1 billion yuan from 2008 to 2012 to upgrade agriculture-related industries.

In China, a budget year begins on Jan 1 and ends on Dec 31.

The public health funds will be used to help local governments offer basic public health services, fight major infectious diseases, pay for physical exams for pregnant women and subsidize cataract operations for indigent patients.