The People's Republic of China has maintained the dividing tax system since January 1st 1994. The most important purpose behind this system was to raise the ratio of the central vs. local state revenues, and thus had a significant impact on central--local state financial relations. After 1994, the percentage of national revenue flowing to the center declined from 23.3% in 1993 to 20.84% in 1994 and then to 20.82% in 1996. These outcomes show the failure of the dividing tax system to raise the ratio of the central state revenues. Moreover, the dividing tax system created more serious deficits as negative effects and the unofficial financial practices of the government have remained undefined.