Beijing, China - March 6, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Press briefing in progress
2. Reporter raising question
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Lan Fo'an, Finance Minister:
"In accordance with the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee, our fiscal policy has consistently maintained an active orientation these years. Last year, we implemented a more proactive fiscal policy for the first time, further strengthening macroeconomic regulation. This year, we will continue to uphold this proactive stance, ensuring that our efforts do not diminish following last year's overall expansion. This strategy takes into account the profound and complex changes in both domestic and international landscapes while addressing the need for counter-cyclical and cross-cyclical adjustments. It effectively mitigates short-term fluctuations, promotes economic operations within a reasonable range, and continues to optimize our economic structure, enhancing the resilience of Chinese economy and providing solid support for a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030)."

FILE: Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, east China - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
4. Aerial shots of cityscape

Beijing, China - March 6, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Lan Fo'an, Finance Minister (partially overlaid with shots 6-7):
"This year's fiscal fund allocation will see new highs in three areas. First, total expenditure is expected to reach a new high, exceeding 30 trillion yuan for the first time. Second, the scale of new government bond issuance will reach a record 11.89 trillion yuan, marking the largest increase in recent years. Third, central government transfer payments to local governments will also hit a new high, further enhancing local fiscal capacity. The total amount is expected to reach 10.42 trillion yuan, exceeding 10 trillion yuan for four consecutive years."


++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++
6. Various of reporters, cameramen
7. Press briefing in progress
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Beijing, China - March 6, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
8. Press briefing in progress
9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Lan Fo'an, Finance Minister (starting with shot 8):
"More funding will be directed toward key areas and critical sectors for high-quality development. This year, national expenditure on science and technology will be set at nearly 1.3 trillion yuan, an increase of 7.1 percent year on year. Additionally, the combined expenditures for education, social security and employment, health care, and housing support will exceed 12.4 trillion yuan."

FILE: China - Date and Exact Location Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
10. Aerial shots of residential buildings

FILE: Xining City, Qinghai Province, northwest China - June 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
11. Various of primary students in class

FILE: China - Exact Location and Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
12. People in hospital

China's fiscal fund allocation is expected to reach record highs in terms of total expenditure, the scale of new government bond issuance, and central government transfer payments to local governments in 2026, Chinese Finance Minister Lan Fo'an said in Beijing on Friday.

Speaking at a press briefing on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, Lan emphasized the importance of a more proactive fiscal policy this year, highlighting “new highs” in three key areas of fiscal funding arrangements.

"In accordance with the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee, our fiscal policy has consistently maintained an active orientation these years. Last year, we implemented a more proactive fiscal policy for the first time, further strengthening macroeconomic regulation. This year, we will continue to uphold this proactive stance, ensuring that our efforts do not diminish following last year's overall expansion. This strategy takes into account the profound and complex changes in both domestic and international landscapes while addressing the need for counter-cyclical and cross-cyclical adjustments. It effectively mitigates short-term fluctuations, promotes economic operations within a reasonable range, and continues to optimize our economic structure, enhancing the resilience of Chinese economy and providing solid support for a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030),” Lan said.

He outlined the three areas where new highs will be set in fiscal funding arrangements this year.

"First, total expenditure is expected to reach a new high, exceeding 30 trillion yuan for the first time. Second, the scale of new government bond issuance will reach a record 11.89 trillion yuan, marking the largest increase in recent years. Third, central government transfer payments to local governments will also hit a new high, further enhancing local fiscal capacity. The total amount is expected to reach 10.42 trillion yuan, exceeding 10 trillion yuan for four consecutive years," the minister said.

While urging Party and government departments to continue practicing frugality, Lan assured that more funding will be directed toward key areas and critical sectors essential for high-quality development.

"This year, national expenditure on science and technology will be set at nearly 1.3 trillion yuan, an increase of 7.1 percent year on year. Additionally, the combined expenditures for education, social security and employment, health care, and housing support will exceed 12.4 trillion yuan," he said.