China makes progress on annual urbanization goals

New buildings in Huaxian county, Henan province. Urbanization will play an active role in keeping the country's investment and rowth stable. Wang Zirui / For China Daily

BEIJING - China has made significant progress in shanty-town renovation and building affordable housing and public transportation, an official said Tuesday.

By the end of June, the country had met 66.9 percent of its annual shanty-town renovation target, 8.2 percentage points higher than the same period last year, said Zhao Chenxin, spokesperson for the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) at a news briefing.

As for urban affordable housing projects, 97.9 percent of the annual target had been reached as of the end of June, Zhao said.

In the first half of 2016, city and inter-city railway networks grew rapidly. Rail transit in 25 cities reached a length of more than 3,300 kilometers, and another 3,800 km is under construction in 37 cities. The intercity traffic network has hit 1,250 km.

Governments of all provinces and municipalities and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Group have released their reform plans on the household registration system.

The central government is supporting 37 towns to innovate infrastructure investment financing and help medium and small cities and towns to improve infrastructure weak points in water, heat and gas supply as well as sewage and garbage treatment.

Zhao also said that China will strive to foster new pillars of economic growth and deepen international cooperation in its urbanization drive.