MASTV:

Mr. Wang, what have we achieved in guaranteeing housing security over the past 70 years and what's the future plan? Thank you.

Wang Menghui:

Over the past 70 years, we have set up the world's largest housing security system. As we know, China implemented a welfare housing system from 1949 to the initial period of reform and opening-up. The per capita floor space of urban residents was only 6.7 square meters in the initial period of reform and opening-up.

Since the reform and opening-up, we proactively explored urban housing reform, and in 1994, the State Council decided to deepen the reform. We accelerated the construction of government-subsidized housing projects to resolve the housing difficulties faced by low- and middle-income urban families. By 2007, the number of security housing units including low-rent housing, affordable housing and so on, totaled over 10 million. Since 2008, the government has introduced major construction projects to provide affordable housing to urban residents. By 2018, government subsidies had been used to build and renovate 70 million housing units in urban areas, 22 million poor people had received public rental subsidies, and 200 million poor people had received help to improve their housing conditions. Especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, government subsidies have been used to build and renovate 40 million housing units in urban areas, and 100 million poor people have received help to improve their housing conditions. Until now, social security has covered almost all those receiving subsistence allowances as well as low-income families, and housing difficulties for new citizens in urban areas have been relieved. The housing conditions for low- and middle-income urban families have also been greatly improved.

Next, we will focus on the following tasks:

First, continue to promote the development of public rental housing. We will gradually promote the mode of "government pay for the management services of public rental housing” so as to improve the level of management services.

Second, nurture and develop the rental housing market. We will expand the rental housing supply and try to resolve housing issues for new citizens in urban areas.

Third, develop joint ownership housing by the government and home buyers. We will encourage large and medium-sized cities with large populations and high housing prices to develop the system based on their local conditions.

Fourth, promote the renovation of run-down areas. We will focus on shanty town renovation in dirty, disorderly and old urban areas, state-owned industrial and mining areas, forests, and reclamation areas.