China will earmark a record US$18 billion in 2004 for its annual allocation of government funds to support rural development. Officials at the Central Financial Work Leading Group said the amount was US$3.6 billion more than that reserved for rural areas in 2003.
The money will primarily be used to fund rural tax reforms, improve environmental conditions, upgrade education, training and health care for farmers, expand infrastructure and speed up poverty reduction programs.
The budget was expected to be passed by the Ministry of Finance and later submitted to the National People's Congress in March for deliberation.
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