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Chinanews.com, Beijing, August 26 (Reporter Zhao Jianhua) The Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Water Resources and other six departments recently issued the "Municipal Infrastructure Asset Management Measures (Trial)" (hereinafter referred to as the Measures) to support and promote the equipment renewal in the field of municipal infrastructure. The Measures will come into effect on September 1, 2024.

Municipal infrastructure assets are divided into transportation facilities, water supply and drainage facilities, energy facilities, sanitation facilities, landscaping facilities, comprehensive facilities, information and communication facilities, and other municipal facilities according to their functions and characteristics. Municipal infrastructure asset management is implemented under a hierarchical, classified, and division-of-labor management system.

The measures state that the finance department will work with the competent departments to promote the effective connection between municipal infrastructure asset management and budget management, and use the inventory, maintenance and repair, and performance of municipal infrastructure assets as important bases for the arrangement of project construction and maintenance funds. The competent departments and maintenance units should strengthen the effective activation and efficient use of municipal infrastructure assets.

The measures point out that the competent departments should scientifically allocate municipal infrastructure assets based on urban development plans, urban needs, and fiscal affordability, adhere to the concepts of green environmental protection, energy conservation and high efficiency, and sustainable development. The sources of funds for the formation of municipal infrastructure assets include fiscal appropriations, bond funds, and self-raised funds of units, and the allocation methods include construction, purchase, adjustment, and acceptance of donations.

The measures emphasize that municipal infrastructure assets invested and constructed by the government should strictly comply with the basic construction approval procedures in accordance with the law, implement funding sources, strengthen budget constraints, and prevent government debt risks. It is strictly prohibited to illegally and irregularly raise debt for municipal infrastructure assets that have no or insufficient income, and it is not allowed to increase hidden debt. The paid use income generated during the maintenance of municipal infrastructure constructed by issuing local government special bonds shall be used first to repay the principal and interest of local government special bonds for the corresponding projects in accordance with regulations, and shall not be used for other purposes.

The measures state that if the financial departments, competent departments, maintenance units and their staff abuse their power, neglect their duties, engage in malpractice for personal gain and other illegal and irregular acts in the management of municipal infrastructure assets, they shall be held accountable in accordance with the law. If a crime is constituted, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.