Finance Minister Xie Xuren vowed on Thursday to boost income regulation on the high-income group, by reforming the salary system of the monopolized sectors and optimizing the income distribution system.

"We'll regulate the total salary amount and salary level on the monopolized sectors," Xie said during the ministry's annual working conference when talking about next year's objectives. "(We'll) push forward with performance-oriented salary systems in government bodies, and continue to control the public allowance system of public servants."

Xie also said the country will continue to carry out a proactive fiscal policy in terms of preferential tax and lower cost of financing for smaller businesses, and expand tax reform to replace business tax with value-added tax to more regions and sectors.

Meanwhile, the ministry is studying ways to build a sounder welfare system, with lower costs in education and healthcare, as well as larger support to affordable housing projects, the minister said.

But more expenditure should not come at the cost of more levies, and tax authorities are urged to guard against excessive taxes and administrative surcharges, Xie said.