On May 22, after the opening meeting of the Third Session of the 13th National People's Congress, the first "minister channel" interview event was held, and some heads of relevant ministries and commissions who attended the meeting were interviewed via online video.
Guangming Daily full-media reporter: In recent years, the central government has always emphasized that the government should take the lead in "tight days", and general expenditures such as "three public" funds have also been compressed year after year, and this year's finances are even tighter. I would like to ask, how should the Ministry of Finance implement the government's "tight days", the key points of which are "tight"? How big is the "tight" space? Thank you.
Liu Kun, Minister of Finance: You asked a very good question. To carry out the people-centered thinking, the government must take the lead in "tight days" and the finances should save the people. To implement the spirit of hard work and frugality, the government must also take the lead in living a "tight life." The purpose of the government's "tight days" is to let the people live a "good day". This is a long-term policy and not a short-term response.
Liu Kun: In recent years, general expenditures such as the "Three Publics" funds have indeed been compressed year after year. You asked just now, is there room for "tightness"? My answer is that there is still room. There is still room for scientific budget arrangement, diligence and frugality, careful calculation, and room for improving quality and efficiency. The government's "tight days" have no contradiction to guarantee the normal operation of the regime. This year, the central government has reduced non-urgent needs and non-rigid expenditures by more than 50%. However, rigid expenditures such as wages are guaranteed, and the normal operation of the government is guaranteed. The extravagance and waste of money should never be spent, nor should the money that has no performance be spent, and it must be accountable in accordance with the law and regulations.
Liu Kun: In terms of government expenditure management, we require that we vigorously reduce general expenditures, especially the “three public” funds. We require strict control of expenditures on meetings, consulting and training, and forum exhibitions, and prohibit the construction and expansion of government-owned buildings. At present, it is necessary to strictly control non-urgent expenditures, spend the money that should be spent on the blade, do the "six stability" work, implement the "six guarantees" task, and hold the bottom line of people's livelihood. Thank you.
(Organized according to the webcast text)