The newly released guidelines on advancing China's urban renewal campaign emphasize enhancing the renovation and utilization of existing buildings, with the goal of transforming old buildings into quality housing, an official from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development said in Beijing on Tuesday.
The guidelines, issued Thursday by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, aim to achieve key progress in the country's urban renewal campaign by 2030.
"In terms of task arrangement, the guidelines set out plans to advance the construction of 'four goods' -- good houses, good residential compounds, good communities, and good urban areas -- demonstrating a highly systematic approach. The construction of good houses mainly focuses on vigorously building safe, comfortable, green, and smart homes, while also strengthening the renovation and utilization of existing buildings to transform old buildings into quality housing. The guidelines also require steadily advancing the renovation of dilapidated housing and strengthening the renovation and utilization of existing buildings such as old factories, energy-inefficient buildings, and traditional commercial facilities," said Qin Haixiang, vice minister of housing and urban-rural development, at a press conference.
"In terms of measures, the guidelines focus on serving people by proposing many practical measures to facilitate convenience and give them peace and comfort. They include steadily advancing the renovation of dilapidated housing, promoting the comprehensive renovation of old urban residential compounds, building complete communities, carrying out urban village redevelopment, increasing the number of nearby community and pocket parks, so as to facilitate public access to parks and green spaces," Qin said.
According to the official, in recent years, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has guided local governments in steadily advancing the renovation of old residential compounds in urban areas.
"From 2019 to the end of 2024, a total of 280,000 old residential compounds have been renovated nationwide, benefiting more than 120 million people in 48 million households," Qin said.
China advances renovation of old buildings: official
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
