China's urbanization rate of permanent residents reached 67 percent by the end of 2024, with 940 million people now living in urban areas, a housing official announced at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.
Qin Haixiang, Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, released the figures during a State Council Information Office briefing, highlighting the nation's steady progress in urban development.
"By the end of 2024, the urbanization ratio hit 67 percent, with 940 million people living in urban areas. The comprehensive carrying capacity of cities has been steadily increasing, the living environment continued improving, and the quality of urban development and people's living standards significantly improved," he said.
The urbanization rate, a key indicator of urban development, is principally measured by the proportion of permanent residents living in cities and towns.
China's urbanization rate reaches 67 pct: official
Commercial activities in the southern Iran port city of Bandar Abbas, which sits on the crucial shipping waterway of the Strait of Hormuz, have largely come to a standstill following several days of intense strikes.
Video footage from the city on Wednesday showed mostly deserted streets, as various businesses, including seafood markets and shopping centers, have suspended operations.
Despite the widespread disruption, essential services have continued to function in Bandar Abbas, with chain supermarkets and fruit and vegetable markets remaining open, providing supplies of basic necessities to residents.
The city holds a significant strategic coastal location on the narrow passageway of the Strait of Hormuz, which has drawn global attention after Iran warned it could disrupt transit through this vital waterway in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes.
The developments have sent shockwaves through international markets, particularly as around 20 percent of global oil shipments pass through this critical strait.
Iran said on Wednesday that over 1,000 people have now been killed in the country since U.S.-Israeli strikes began on Saturday.
In a statement published on its official website, Iran's Foundation of Martyrs and Veteran Affairs described the strikes as "aggressive and brutal."
Joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities starting Saturday morning have resulted in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his family members, top military commanders, and civilians. Iran has since responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the region.
Key Iranian port city on Strait of Hormuz comes to standstill with commercial areas closed
