Villages in megacities high priority

China will implement a raft of policy measures to promote the transformation and upgrading of villages inside megacities, with the participation of private investment better motivated, according to decisions made at a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Qiang on Friday.

The meeting noted that rebuilding villages inside megacities in a proactive yet prudent manner will serve as a key step to improve people's well-being, expand domestic demand and promote high-quality urban development.

Attendees agreed to let the market play a decisive role in resource allocation, and allow the government to better fulfill its due responsibility. Policy support will be beefed up in this regard, and innovative approaches will be explored.

Private investment will be encouraged and supported to participate in relevant projects, and new forms of businesses will be developed to ensure sound and sustained progress, according to the meeting.

According to the seventh national census by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2021, China has a total of 21 megacities including Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Tianjin and Guangdong province's Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Those at the meeting stressed that it's imperative to seek progress while maintaining stability. The rebuilding of urban villages with various hidden hazards related to urban safety and social governance will be advanced on a prioritized basis in order to meet people's urgent needs.

Rebuilding of villages inside megacities with optimal conditions will be pushed forward, and will be better aligned with government-subsidized housing, so as to deliver concrete benefits to residents.

Local governments will assume major responsibilities, draft renewal plans in a well-calibrated manner, and raise funds through multiple channels so as to utilize land resources with high efficacy and meet the needs of various stakeholders, it was decided.

On Monday, Guangzhou issued a draft version of the Regulations on Rebuilding Villages in Guangzhou to solicit public opinion, which will become the first local regulations targeting the renewal of urban villages.

The meeting also noted that the current period is a critical time for flood control and drought preparedness. Departments and localities concerned should stay committed to putting people and lives first, and make preparations for worst-case scenarios.

The practical experience of officials working at the grassroots level will be better harnessed, and measures that have proved effective will be employed to eliminate various risks and potential dangers in key areas and weak links.

It was stressed at the meeting that flood control and drought preparedness will be coordinated. Drought-resistant water resources will be developed in regions in need to ensure safe urban and rural water supplies, especially for food production.

China has activated emergency response measures to guard against flooding in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and ramped up rainstorm and flood control efforts in the Huaihe River basin, according to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Thursday.