China plans to build and reconstruct 105,000 kilometers of rural roads in 2025, continuing the country's effort to boost the revitalization of its rural regions through infrastructure construction, said an official of China's Ministry of Transport at a press briefing in Beijing Friday.
Vice Minister of Transport, Li Yang, revealed the road construction plan, saying it will also be implemented in parallel with a road upgrading plan, which will see improved roads connect the townships and the key economic nodes with the other parts of the country.
"In terms of construction, we plan to build and reconstruct 105,000 kilometers of rural roads in 2025. We will also strive to build paved roads in 12,400 natural villages of a relatively big size. Meanwhile, we will work to upgrade major rural road networks by the highway standard of Grade III and above. The improved networks will serve as fast channels that connect townships and key economic nodes with other parts of the country. We will also promote the construction of paved roads in natural villages with a relatively large population and the construction of graded roads in administrative villages," said Li. More efforts will also be made to promote integrated development so as to boost the industrial revitalization in rural regions and the broader rural revitalization, said Li.
"In terms of integrated development, we will push forward the Beautiful Rural Roads construction project, coordinate the building of rural roads, improve the layout of villages and towns, and enhance the rural living environment so as to promote the rural industrial invigoration and boost the modern and all-around rural revitalization," said Li.
China's rural roads constitute the most extensive transport infrastructure in the country and serve a significant majority of the population. These roads serve as primary transportation channels for rural residents, playing a crucial role in enhancing their well-being and living conditions. They are also instrumental in advancing the modernization of agriculture and rural areas.
According to a white paper released by China's State Council Information Office on Nov 29 and titled "China's Rural Roads in the New Era", the country has made notable achievements in rural road construction over the past 10 years, with increased total length, rising technical standards and better accessibility.
China to build, reconstruct over 100,000 kilometers of rural roads in 2025: official
Governments at all levels across China are promoting consumer goods trade-ins and industrial equipment upgrade with preferential policies and subsidies, bringing about significant growth in home appliance sales and equipment production. So far this year, the trade-in policies have brought a total sale of one trillion yuan (about 137 billion U.S. dollars) nationwide, and boosted production of trade-in-related goods like new energy vehicles (NEVs) and home-use freezers.
In Shanghai, in addition to the eight categories of nationwide subsidized products, like refrigerators, television sets, and computers, the local government introduced extra subsidies for additional home appliances, as well as interior materials, furniture, elderly-friendly products, and more to meet local needs.
According to statistics, Shanghai's trade-ins of home appliances have exceeded 6.4 million times, boosting trade of the eight categories by 30 to 40 percent compared to last year's statistics, and the total sales of home appliances on all platforms exceeded 10 billion yuan (about 1.37 billion U.S. dollars).
In central China's Hubei Province, the local government is providing subsidies unlimited times for passenger vehicles trade-ins, expanding subsidized kitchen and bathroom appliances, and involving interior goods and materials to the list, benefiting consumers in over 4.5 million transactions and bringing a total sale of 50 billion yuan (about 6.8 billion U.S. dollars).
In the first three quarters, industrial equipment upgrade policies have stimulated investments in equipment and tools, featuring a 16.4 percent year-on-year increase, with food manufacturing, agricultural products processing, and metal smelting equipment production increasing by 38.1 percent, 34.6 percent, and 13.2 percent, respectively.
In addition to consumer goods, governments at all levels have been actively offering allowances and providing guidance for companies to upgrade appliances and technologies to facilitate domestic consumption "We have applied for nearly 50 million yuan (about 6.8 million U.S. dollars) funding for equipment upgrades. With active advertising and mobilization, we encouraged local advantageous companies in machinery and medicine and health to apply, and provide guidance for them on company digitalization and technology upgrade," said Yu Biao, deputy director of the Development and Reform Bureau of Xinchang County in Shaoxing City of east China's Zhejiang Province.
Companies are also benefiting from the policy, and many are pursuing expansion with government allowances.
"We have benefited from the 'one-time pre-tax deduction policy for equipment and tools under 5 million yuan (about 680,000 U.S. dollars)' and reinvested additional funds for the Phase II expansion. As a result, the annual processing capacity has increased from 80,000 tonnes to 130,000 tonnes," said Tang Kaibo, general manager of Liaoning Lvyuan Renewable Energy Development Co., Ltd.
Local governments promote trade-ins, equipment upgrade with policies, subsidies
