Public finance should give preference to projects concerning public lives, says a signed article in Beijing Youth Daily. An excerpt follows:

Central China's Hunan Province issued a circular on enhancing care for vagrants earlier this month. The city government of Xiangtan in the province soon followed by requiring the government to provide medical treatment for vagrants.

The document assigned hospitals and clarified treatment standards and funding channels. The local government will pay for the specified treatments for those who qualify.

The financial resources of Xiangtan are not among the top in Hunan, an inland province with a moderate level of economic development. But the city gives sympathy and care to those who need help most.

There are many similar reports in the new year. For example, east China's Zhejiang Province decided to put two-thirds of new revenue into public causes, and Shanghai municipal government put forward the principle of prioritizing investment into undertakings which help improve people's lives. All these actions show that the people-oriented concept of administration is filtering into government planning. It is definitely good news for the disadvantaged.

We noticed that public input on social welfare, public health, education and employment are on the rise in this year's budgets. The government has given more attention to the poverty-stricken.

Public finance is vital to bridge the gap between rich and poor and mitigate social contradictions. It is necessary for public finance to give preference to the poor.

Of course we cannot only depend on public funds to solve all social problems. Thoughtful policies and supporting mechanisms, the poor's self-development as well as support from social organizations will all contribute to the construction of a harmonious society.

(China Daily February 12, 2007)