BEIJING, Sept 26 (Reuters) - China plans to issue special sovereign bonds worth about 2 trillion yuan ($284.43 billion) this year as part of a fresh fiscal stimulus, said two sources with knowledge of the matter, adding to a string of measures to battle strong deflationary pressures and faltering economic growth.
As part of the package, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) plans to issue 1 trillion yuan of special sovereign debt primarily to stimulate consumption amid growing concerns about a stuttering post-COVID economic recovery, said the sources.
Part of the MOF proceeds raised via special bonds, which are floated for a specific purpose, will be used to increase subsidies for the trade-in and renewal of consumer goods and for the upgrade of large-scale business equipment, said the two sources.
The proceeds will also be used to provide a monthly allowance of about 800 yuan, or $114, per child to all households with two or more children, excluding the first child, the first source said.
China also aims to raise another 1 trillion yuan via a separate special sovereign debt issuance and plans to use the proceeds to help local governments tackle their debt problems, the source added.
Most of China's fiscal stimulus still goes into investment, but returns are dwindling and the spending has saddled local governments with $13 trillion in debt. China's household spending is less than 40% of GDP, some 20 percentage points below the global average.
Some of the fiscal support measures could be unveiled as soon as this week, said the sources, who declined to be named as they were not authorised to speak to media.
China's State Council Information Office, which handles media queries on behalf of the government, and the MOF did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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