CCTV:

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, housing conditions in China have achieved noticeable improvement, helping many urban residents realize their dreams of settling down. Regarding this, could you please introduce what efforts the MOHURD has made and what achievements have been produced? For the next step, what new measures will be taken to consolidate the work of housing support and to solve housing problems for low- and middle-income urban residents and new urban residents? Thank you.

Jiang Wanrong:

Thank you for your questions. The housing problem concerns people's well-being. Therefore, we should ensure that the government functions better while letting market forces play a decisive role. We have prioritized improving two systems: the housing market system and the housing support system. The government plays a more significant role in the support system. Over the past decade, we have explored the following aspects and made several achievements.

First, we have moved faster to improve the housing support system to meet people's basic housing needs. Focusing on meeting people's basic housing needs, we have fully considered different groups' housing conditions and financial capacity while exploring and establishing the housing support system. Based on a thorough investigation and demonstration, and a review of experiences gained from the trials, with the approval of the State Council, last June, the General Office of the State Council issued opinions on accelerating the development of the government-subsidized rental housing. It outlined for the first time the top-level design for the housing support system at the national level. It proposed accelerating the improvement of the housing support system with public rental housing, government-subsidized rental housing and shared ownership housing as the mainstay. In other words, the housing support system mainly consists of three parts: public rental housing, government-subsidized rental housing, and shared ownership housing. To deliver the best outcomes, we have worked with relevant departments to establish a set of relatively sound housing support policies and management systems, including financial, fiscal and tax, land and other support policies. In addition, we have set up mechanisms for the admission, use, exit and operation management of government-subsidized housing, ensuring that benefits can effectively be brought to people struggling with housing and needing help.

Second, we have advanced housing reconstruction in neglected urban areas to help people move from sub-standard accommodation to new apartments. In 2013, the reconstruction of the neglected urban areas was fast-tracked. The state has issued policy documents concerning speeding up the rebuilding of housing in dilapidated urban areas every year for three consecutive years. These documents set out clear requirements about the number of buildings to be rebuilt and the necessary infrastructure. Departments and commissions of the central government have cooperated closely and introduced a series of effective policies and measures concerning financial support, tax and fee cuts and exemptions, capital subsidies, land supply and special bonds. Over the past decade, over 43 million housing units in underdeveloped urban areas have been rebuilt, helping hundreds of millions of residents in run-down urban areas to improve their living conditions and to live in peace and contentment.

Third, we have made great efforts to develop government-subsidized rental housing to help new urban residents and young people realize their dreams of having a home to settle in. We have urged and guided localities to accelerate the development of government-subsidized rental housing, set the development goals, establish fundamental institutions, promote multi-party participation and implement supporting policies. Moreover, a pattern of developing government-subsidized rental housing with multiple types of suppliers and numerous channels for support has taken shape. In 2021 and 2022, 3.3 million government-subsidized rental housing units were constructed nationwide, addressing the housing needs of nearly 10 million new urban residents and young people. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, 6.5 million government-subsidized rental homes will be built in 40 key cities, solving the housing difficulties for about 20 million new urban residents and young people.

Fourth, we have promoted the well-regulated development of public rental housing to ensure the basic needs of urban households with housing difficulties and low incomes. Over the past decade, public rental housing operation management has been continuously strengthened, with an increase in the amount of physical housing stock and an improvement in the housing subsidy system. By the end of 2021, 38 million people in need had moved into public rental housing. The provision of physical housing and rental subsidies has addressed the housing needs of many people in difficulty. I would like to share some figures with you. We have ensured the housing needs of 11.76 million people living on low incomes and subsistence allowances and struggling with housing. Moreover, we have helped 5.08 million people over 60 years old, 710,000 people with disabilities, 440,000 young teachers, 260,000 entitled groups, and 230,000 sanitation workers and bus drivers.

Fifth, we have developed shared ownership housing according to local conditions and helped households with certain financial capacities to purchase shared ownership housing. In April 2014, we launched pilots on the development of shared ownership housing in six cities, including Beijing and Shanghai. We deepened the pilot programs in September 2017. By the end of 2021, a total of 83,000 shared ownership housing units had been built in Beijing and 136,000 households had signed contracts in Shanghai. Shared ownership housing enables residents to obtain houses with property rights at relatively lower prices, increasing their sense of fulfillment, happiness and security.

Indeed, housing support is a long-term task. Next, we will thoroughly implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, focusing on increasing government-subsidized rental housing and improving the housing support system. We will further regulate the development of public rental housing, develop shared ownership housing according to local conditions, and steadily advance housing renovation in run-down urban areas. We will make more efforts to increase the supply of government-subsidized housing to better meet people's basic housing needs while making new achievements in housing support.

Thank you!