BEIJING - The Chinese government spent 15.52 billion yuan ($2.47 billion) on improving cultural services for the public in 2012, up 19.81 percent from a year ago, the Ministry of Finance said Friday.

"In recent years, China's central finance has continuously increased spending to support the construction of a public cultural service system that covers both urban and rural areas," the ministry said in a statement.

The total funds earmarked for cultural services during the 2003-2012 period reached 58.01 billion yuan, representing compound annual growth of 82.2 percent, the ministry said.

Last year, 3.41 billion yuan was appropriated to support major cultural projects, including the establishment of broadcast and television service in all of China's villages and the construction of village libraries.

The ministry also allocated funds to open cultural facilities to the public for free, improve service at cultural institutions like libraries and museums and construct digital libraries.