Fujian province in east China set a record of striking balance between budget revenue and expenditure for the 15th consecutive year last year.

According to reports from the provincial government, the provincial revenue was 31.3 billion yuan in 1999, and the expenditure was 27.9 billion yuan. The figures were within the beginning-of-year expectations.

Over the period from 1985 to 1999, the annual growth of provincial government's revenue averaged 18 percent, taking the lead among provinces in east China.

The rapid growth of revenue is based on economic development. Over the past 15 years, the province's gross domestic product (GDP) jumped from 20.1 billion yuan to 360 billion yuan. In the same time, exports grew from 1.1 billion U.S. dollars to 10.4 billion U. S. dollars.

To increase revenue, the provincial government has also taken measures to deepen reform of the fiscal system, strengthen administration of finance and taxation and rationalize expenditures.