China to support urban renewal projects to advance new urbanization

More efforts will be made for key urban renewal projects, with the goal of fully releasing huge potential of new urbanization and generating new drivers of economic growth, said Liu Sushe, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top economic planner, in Beijing on Tuesday.

Liu made the remarks at a press briefing that was held by the State Council Information Office on systematically implementing a package of incremental policies to solidly promote economic growth, structural optimization and sustained momentum of development.

According to Liu, China's urban development has entered a phase where both new construction and the renewal of existing infrastructure are of equal importance, with the latter facing an increasingly heavier burden.

The renovation of urban underground utility networks, such as gas, water supply, drainage, and heating systems, will require the installation of nearly 600,000 kilometers of new pipelines and cost up to around 4 trillion yuan (around 567.18 billion U.S. dollars) over the next five years.

Looking ahead, China will take a phased approach to implement the urban renewal and renovation projects, according to Liu.

Priority will be given to projects that can enhance public safety and improve people's livelihood, such as the refurbishment of aging urban residential communities and neighborhoods and the revitalization of urban villages, Liu added.

At the start of the press briefing, the NDRC announced investment projects valued at 200 billion yuan (about some 28.35 billion U.S. dollars) that are in next year's plans will be released in advance this year to support the implementation of major national strategies and building up of security capacity in key areas.

"[In the pre-allocation funds,] we will give priority to a batch of key urban renewal projects. Currently, the financial demand for urban underground utility network is substantial, and we hope to prioritize support for these key projects. For the 2023-2024 period, the NDRC has earmarked over 470 billion yuan from the central budget, the issuance of additional government bonds, and ultra-long special treasury bonds, with a particular focus on the renovation of urban gas and drainage networks and the renovation of old urban residential communities, among others," Liu said.

China to support urban renewal projects to advance new urbanization

The two houses of the Ethiopian parliament on Monday appointed Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie as the new president of the country.

The appointment followed the end of the term of current President Sahle-Work Zewde after six years of service as the country's head of state.

The newly-appointed president was sworn in on Monday before members of Ethiopia's House of Peoples' Representatives and House of Federation as the new leader of Africa's second most populous nation.

Ethiopia, which operates under a parliamentary political system, grants its president largely ceremonial powers. The president's term of office is six years and can be re-elected once.

In the annual national plan presented to the parliament after the inauguration ceremony, Atske Selassie said Ethiopia had achieved an economic growth rate of 8.1 percent in the just-concluded fiscal year despite internal and external challenges.

Atske Selassie also highlighted Ethiopia's relationship with China, calling it an exemplary partnership that should continue to be strengthened.

"In terms of bilateral relations, Ethiopia's relationship with China has been elevated to an unwavering all-weather strategic partnership while safeguarding our national interests," he said.

Atske Selassie also stressed that Ethiopia's accession to the BRICS membership is a major diplomatic achievement and a key step in ensuring political, economic and social interests and balancing the country's international relations.

"Ethiopia's official entry into the BRICS mechanism opens the door for Ethiopia to gain significant political, economic and social advantages, while further strengthening our balanced engagement with global partners," he said.

Ethiopian parliament appoints FM as new president

Ethiopian parliament appoints FM as new president