BEIJING -- China will try to expand the scope and scale of its government procurement program and continue to push for reforms in the area this year, China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Friday.

While pledging to further improve laws and regulations concerning government procurement, China will respond actively to negotiations for entry to the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), according to a MOF document that outlines the procurement work for 2012.

The GPA is a voluntary pact within the World Trade Organization that allows member countries to bid for public contracts in each other's markets.

China entered its first offer to join the pact in 2007, but it was turned down as the offer did not include local governments' spending.

Meanwhile, the document said the year's key procurement projects will include the nutrition improvement in rural areas and the purchase of school buses, which have triggered nationwide concerns.

It also vowed to place an emphasis on emission reductions and environmental protection in the purchases.

Regarding the purchase process, the ministry said it will strengthen management by strictly laying out the budget and stipulating the standards.