China finalizes 2026 list of key national projects

BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- China has finalized and issued its full list of this year's key construction projects aimed at implementing major national strategies and building security capacity in key areas, the country's top economic planner said Monday.

The National Development and Reform Commission said the third and final batch of such projects for 2026 was issued recently, involving 193.5 billion yuan (about 28.43 billion U.S. dollars) in funds from ultra-long special treasury bonds.

Since the beginning of this year, the commission, together with relevant industry authorities, has arranged 800 billion yuan to support the construction of 1,417 major projects.

The projects cover key areas including scientific and technological innovation, ecological protection and restoration in the Yangtze River basin, major transport infrastructure along the Yangtze River, urban underground pipeline networks, major water conservancy projects, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, higher education upgrading, and the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, the commission said.

Meanwhile, efforts have been accelerated to advance plan formulation, policymaking and institutional innovation, including improving railway investment, financing, pricing and fee mechanisms, supporting cities along the Yangtze River in reforming sewage-treatment charging models, studying and formulating standards for the stable service life of various flood-control facilities, and deepening comprehensive reform of agricultural water pricing, according to the commission.