Leading housing developers in China have undertaken to pay more attention to their social responsibilities in a rare move to polish their tainted images.

"We must undertake our due social responsibilities in promoting environmental protection, addressing the concerns of lower-income groups, participating in community activities and building a harmonious society," the developers said in a statement issued Tuesday at the end of the Shanghai International Real Estate Summit and Exposition.

Signatories of the statement, known as the "Shanghai Consensus", are Vanke, Huayuan, Vantone and seven other leading companies.

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