China to enhance control of local govt debt risks; tackle symptoms, causes

Chinese Minister of Finance Liu Kun said Tuesday that China is tightening control over local government debt to curb risks.

By tackling both symptoms and root causes, the country aims to control local government debt risks by using laws and regulations, Liu said in a budget report to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

All forms of borrowing and financing guarantees that violate the country’s laws and regulations are strictly forbidden, he said, urging efforts to amend irregularities in government investment funds, public-private partnership (PPP) programs and government procurement of services.

Outstanding hidden government debt will be resolved appropriately with prioritized efforts in high-risk regions, and provincial-level governments will assume overall responsibility for debts incurred by local governments within their jurisdictions, the minister said.

Liu said the implementation of a lifelong accountability program strictly holds local governments, State-owned enterprises, financial institutions and agencies accountable for violations in borrowing and financing guarantees.

He also referred to a market-oriented transformation of local government financing vehicles, an off-budget financing channel.

Preventing financial risk is key for China in what policymakers called the “three tough battles” – controlling risk, reducing poverty and tackling pollution.