The year 1999 saw further improvement in China's budget spending structure with a remarkable increase in spending on education, science and infrastructure, Finance Minister Xiang Huaicheng said in Beijing January 26 morning.

The central government's spending on education in 1999 rose more than 20 percent over that in 1998, on scientific undertakings up 14 percent, the minister told a press conference sponsored by the Information Office of the State Council.

The central government's spending on infrastructure increased by more than 70 percent, as a result of the government's pro-active fiscal policy.

Spending on social security increased by 170 percent as the government moved to ensure the payment of allowance for laid-off workers and pensions for retirees, he added.