Read in Chinese

Speakers: 

Mr. Ni Hong, minister of housing and urban-rural development

Mr. Dong Jianguo, vice minister of housing and urban-rural development

Mr. Qin Haixiang, vice minister of housing and urban-rural development

Chairperson:

Ms. Shou Xiaoli, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

Aug. 23, 2024

Shou Xiaoli:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO), as part of the series "Promoting High-Quality Development." Today, we have invited Mr. Ni Hong, minister of housing and urban-rural development, to brief you on relevant developments and to take your questions. Also present today are Mr. Dong Jianguo and Mr. Qin Haixiang, both vice ministers of housing and urban-rural development.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Ni for his introduction. 

Ni Hong:

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm very glad to meet you here and brief you on the high-quality development of housing and urban-rural development, and to answer your questions.

First of all, on behalf of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MHURD), I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your long-term interest in and support for the housing and urban-rural development.

High-quality development is a primary task in building China into a modern socialist country in all respects and a top priority in the new era. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the MHURD has thoroughly implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions and directives on housing and urban-rural development. We have fully and faithfully applied the new development philosophy on all fronts, taken solid steps, and forged ahead in a pioneering spirit. As a result, new milestones have been achieved in promoting high-quality development of housing and urban-rural development, contributing to the advancement of Chinese modernization.

I would like to highlight three key aspects:

First, in terms of housing and real estate, we have continuously improved real estate policies and refined the housing support system, striving to ensure all people have access to housing. By the end of 2023, the per capita floor space of urban residents exceeded 40 square meters; a total of over 64 million units of various government-subsidized housing and rebuilt housing in run-down urban areas were constructed, providing dwellings for more than 150 million people. All eligible families on subsistence allowances and low-income families struggling with housing have basically had access to housing. 

Second, in terms of urban areas, we have made solid efforts in advancing the urban renewal project, renovated old urban residential compounds and accelerated urban infrastructure construction, striving to promote high-quality urban development. By the end of 2023, the urban built-up area in China reached 64,000 square kilometers, and the proportion of permanent urban residents in the total population stood at 66.16%, meaning that over 930 million people live in urban areas. Urban functions and living environments have continued to improve. A total of over 250,000 old urban residential compounds have been renovated, benefiting over 44 million households and approximately 110 million people. 

Third, in terms of the construction industry, we have deepened reforms, and made the sector more industrialized, digitalized and environmentally friendly, so as to contribute to economic growth and better living standards. In 2023, the total output value of the construction industry reached 31.6 trillion yuan, and its value added reached 8.6 trillion yuan, accounting for 6.8% of the nation's GDP, and providing over 50 million jobs. 

Chinese modernization prioritizes people's livelihoods. A strong focus on people's well-being is the most prominent feature of our work in housing and urban-rural development. Looking ahead, we will thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress as well as the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee. Putting people first, we will focus on addressing the prominent problems that restrict the high-quality development of housing and urban-rural development, and take laying a solid foundation and deepening reforms as our main task. We will emphasize improving mechanisms, institutions and rule of law, and work toward providing green, low-carbon, smart and safe housing for the people. We will make coordinated efforts to advance various reforms in the housing and urban-rural sector, and speed up the fostering of a new development model for real estate. We will deeply implement the urban renewal project, and further promote the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry. Additionally, we will systematically develop "good houses, good residential compounds, good communities and good urban areas," build livable, resilient and smart cities, and promote common prosperity of urban and rural areas. Through these practical efforts, we aim to consistently meet people's aspirations for a better life and contribute to further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. 

Moving forward, we will focus on the following reform initiatives: 

First, we will foster a new development model for the real estate sector, which can be summarized in four aspects. First, in terms of concepts, we should deeply grasp the principle that housing is for living in and not for speculation, and build quality houses that cater to people's new aspirations. Second, in terms of systems, we will rely primarily on the government to meet the essential housing need, while leveraging the market to satisfy the diverse needs for better housing. Third, in terms of institutions, we will reform and improve the institutions for real estate development, transactions and utilization, laying a solid institutional foundation for real estate transformation. Fourth, in terms of resource allocation, we will foster a new mechanism that connects the elements of personnel, housing, land and financing. 

Currently, the real estate market is experiencing significant changes in its supply and demand dynamics and remains in an adjustment period. However, with the implementation of various policies, positive changes have begun to emerge in the market. Considering China's ongoing urbanization process and the public's new expectations for quality housing, the real estate market still holds substantial potential and room for growth. As long as we maintain firm confidence, effectively implement city-specific policies, we can promote stable and healthy real estate market development.

Second, we will establish new urban planning, development and governance mechanisms. We will uphold the principle that cities should be built by and for the people, meeting new demands as urban development transforms to urban renewal. We will further deepen urban planning, development and governance reform and institute sustainable urban renewal models and related policies and regulations. We will insist on an approach that conducts examinations and identifies problems first, then solves them as the priorities of urban renewal. We aim to create welcoming and resilient smart cities, enabling the people to enjoy more convenient, comfortable and fulfilling lives.

Third, we will promote the transformation and upgrading of the construction industry. We will insist on the guidance on standards and technological empowerment, focusing on reforming and improving a package of basic institutions regarding bidding on construction projects, project supervision, construction cost, completion acceptance and more. We will strive to create a modern construction industry system and shape a business environment upholding good faith conduct, legal compliance, and fair competition while pursuing quality. We will promote the high-quality development of the construction sector to provide high-quality construction products for society.

That's all I have to say for now. Next, we are happy to take questions from the media.