China rolls out plans to improve housing quality, people's livelihood

China's newly-issued plan for urban renewal during its 15th five-year plan period (2026-2030) outlines measures to improve residents' quality of life in four aspects encompassing the development of good housing, good residential areas, good communities and good urban areas, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development on Monday.

The plan, laid out by the State Council, China's cabinet, clarifies goals, key tasks, major projects and policy measures for urban renewal during the five-year period.

Qin Haixiang, vice minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, said at a press conference in Beijing that the plan spells out 10 planning indicators, including the renovation of dilapidated urban housing and the renovation of old urban residential areas, and lays out a number of livelihood projects, development projects and safety projects.

Qin said that regarding the construction of good housing, efforts will be made to improve the quality of newly built houses and upgrade the housing standards, design, materials, construction, and operation and maintenance levels across the entire chain. Efforts will be made to well manage the renovation and upgrading of old houses, including encouraging residents to renovate and upgrade their houses, and supporting independent renovation and reconstruction of old houses.

"Regarding the construction of good residential areas, the renovation work has started for revamping 115,000 old urban residential communities since the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Infrastructure such as gas supply, water supply, heating, and roads will be upgraded and improved, and support will be provided for the installation of elevators in eligible buildings. In terms of the development of good communities, 5,000 communities will be renovated to improve public service facilities such as elderly care and childcare. Regarding the development of good urban areas, existing resources will be fully utilized to address shortcomings in public service facilities, optimize road network structure, and make up for shortfalls in parking facilities," Qin said.

The Hukou Waterfall on China's Yellow River has since earlier this month become what appears to be a two-tone river section where separate surging streams of clear and muddy waters are flowing down side by side, creating a stunning view.

The "half-clear and half-turbid" scenery draws crowds of visitors to the waterfall, which is located on the border between Jixian County of north China's Shanxi Province and Yichuan County of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The landscape was formed amid combined effects of local hydrological environment and weather conditions including heavy rainfall in the upper reaches.

The Hukou Waterfall is the second largest waterfall in China and the largest on the legendary Yellow River.