Moderate fiscal deficit growth 'affordable'

Finance minister says scale of local government debt is still under control

China can afford to expand its fiscal deficit this year while reining in risks associated with the overall debt level, Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said on Monday.

Lou made the remark in response to Premier Li Keqiang's Government Work Report, delivered on Saturday, in which the premier said China will continue to fund massive State-led infrastructure projects while lowering tax levels for more industries.