China's Vice Finance Minister Xu Hongcai on Thursday denied having difficulties paying wages amid the novel coronavirus outbreak in China.

Speaking at a press conference, Xu said the overall situation of local finance is generally stable and the funding for epidemic prevention and control has been adequately guaranteed.

As of March 4, funds to the tune of 110.48 billion yuan have been earmarked for epidemic prevention and control by the governments of all levels, of which 71.43 billion yuan has been used already.

The amount does not constitute a big proportion of the total fiscal revenue, he added.

Xu admitted that some hard-hit provinces, including central China's Hubei Province, the epicenter of the epidemic, have undergone periodic reductions in fiscal revenue, but expressed optimism in the long run. 

"For those epidemic-stricken areas having difficulties in ensuring people's well-being or paying wages, the central government will give finance support." 

"Next week, the Ministry of Finance will continue to maintain close contact with Hubei and allocate funds in a timely manner, taking into account its financial revenue and expenditure status, treasury deposit operation, as well as bond issuance and redemption," the official said.

"China's economy is resilient, and the trend of positive long-term development has not changed. With the resumption of work and production, the economy will gradually recover and fiscal revenue will surely increase," Xu said.