China to implement new measures for quality housing: minister

China will roll out several initiatives to enhance quality housing construction, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong announced Sunday at a press conference.

At a press conference on people's livelihood, during the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), Ni stated that measures would be introduced to develop quality homes that are safe, comfortable, eco-friendly, and smart.

Ni emphasized that robust construction standards are essential to high-quality housing. "The standard determines the housing quality. Recently, we are organizing to compile guidelines for the construction of quality housing, and revise norms for residential projects, which stipulates that storey height shall be raised to no less than three meters," Ni said.

The minister explained that new innovations are essential not only for constructing quality homes but also for driving further technological progress.

"High-quality housing cannot be built without new technology, and can also promote new technology. On the one hand, we will vigorously promote the use of new technologies, new materials, new processes and new products to benefit the people. On the other hand, we must also actively promote whole-house intelligence," he said.

He then announced plans for a nationwide design competition aimed at spurring innovative housing solutions.

"There will be quality housing with different areas and at different prices. We're going to hold a national competition to design quality housing to guide designers to elaborately and creatively design quality housing of different types and areas for a variety of living needs. As a result, the housing can be made full use of and cost-effective. We will encourage cities and enterprises to build and vigorously promote high-quality housing," the minister said.

"I would like to emphasize two points. First, all localities must build quality affordable housing, and governments must take the lead in livelihood projects. Second, we should not only build new housing to be quality, but also take various ways to restore old houses into quality ones in combination with urban renewal projects," Ni said.

China to implement new measures for quality housing: minister

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of the Kingdom of Thailand in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that President Xi Jinping and King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua reached important consensus last year on promoting the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future, pointing out the direction for deepening China-Thailand friendship.

Recognizing Princess Sirindhorn as an old and good friend of the Chinese people, Wang said that Princess Sirindhorn has witnessed China's reform and opening up as well as Chinese modernization, and has also devoted a great deal of effort and made outstanding contributions to deepening the friendship between China and Thailand.

China is willing to work with Thailand to take the important consensus reached by the two heads of state as the fundamental guideline, carry forward their traditional friendship, strengthen cooperation with Thailand in areas of concern to Princess Sirindhorn such as high technology, education and people's livelihood, and promote the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future to bear fruit and benefit the two peoples, said Wang.

Noting that the Thai side appreciates the support given by the Chinese side, Sirindhorn said it is hoped that the two sides will further enhance communication and exchanges in various fields, strengthen practical cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, medicine, culture, education and other aspects, promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and advance the cause of Thailand-China friendship.

Chinese FM meets Thai princess Sirindhorn