China plans to increase its government procurement in 2005 to 250 billion yuan (US$30.12 billion), up 25 percent over last year, to regulate government spending, according to a report on the central and local budgets.

"The government procurement system will be expanded to include all government bodies, institutions and people's organizations at all levels," notes the report concerning the implementation of the central and local budgets for 2004 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2005, submitted Saturday to the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC) for deliberation and approval.

The total government procurement exceeded 200 billion yuan (US$24.18 billion) in 2004, resulting in a saving of about 10 percent in the use of funds, the report says.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2005)