China is set to intensify its efforts in advancing new urbanization and fostering coordinated regional development in 2024, as outlined in a government work report submitted to the national legislature this Wednesday.
Premier Li Qiang presented the report on behalf of the State Council during the opening session of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing.
Advancing New Urbanization
According to the report, China's urbanization rate of permanent residents reached 67 percent in 2024. The new urbanization strategy aims to integrate rural migrants into cities by enhancing support in areas such as basic public services, compulsory education for their children, housing security, and social insurance. Additionally, the government plans to address infrastructure and public service gaps in county-level regions and vigorously develop county-level economies.
The strategy includes developing modern metropolitan areas, modernizing governance in megacities and large cities, and promoting coordinated development among cities of various sizes. Urban renewal efforts will focus on renovating old residential communities, developing digital and smart infrastructure, improving accessibility and elderly-friendly facilities, enhancing comprehensive community services, and building livable, resilient, and smart cities.
Promoting Regional Coordinated Development
The government will implement strategies to deepen the large-scale development of the western region, revitalize the northeastern region, accelerate the rise of the central region, and advance the modernization of the eastern region.
For example, it will enhance the innovation capabilities and influence of economically advantaged regions such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao Greater Bay Area. The plan also includes advancing the high-standard and high-quality construction of the Xiong'an New Area, deepening the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic rim, and vigorously developing the marine economy by establishing national marine economic development demonstration zones.
