logo

Beijing targets aid to soften energy impact

Monday, 23 June 2008


Geoff Dyer, FT Syndication Service

Beijing: China unveiled subsidies for fuel users in an effort to prevent unrest and soften the blow of the big increases in energy prices that took effect last Friday.

Beijing announced subsidies for grain farmers, taxi drivers and low-income groups, and said public transport fares would not go up as a result of the rise in prices. The finance ministry said the targeted subsidies would be worth Rmb19.8bn ($2.9bn,