China Audit Finds $160 Million in Irregularities Across Maternity Benefits

China’s state auditor has uncovered 1.08 billion yuan ($160 million) in irregularities involving maternity insurance and subsidy funds, affecting the benefits of more than 1 million people.

The findings, published on June 23 by the National Audit Office (NAO) in its annual report on the central budget execution, highlight systemic vulnerabilities in the distribution and management of funds intended to support pregnant women and new mothers, exposing a mix of administrative failures, corporate withholding, and outright fraud.