China targets early completion of post-quake rebuilding

Source: Xinhua | 05-08-2009 14:47

by Xinhua writers Chen Yongrong and Chen Yinan

BEIJING, May 8 (Xinhua) -- China had invested 360 billion yuan (about 52.7 billion U.S. dollars) in post-earthquake reconstruction as of April, one-third of the planned total, and hoped to complete all work within two years, a government official said here Friday.

According to Mu Hong, vice director of China's National Development and Reform Commission, most rebuilding of basic housing and infrastructure had begun and shown considerable progress.

The government planned to complete reconstruction before September 2010, after starting in September last year. The target was one year earlier than previously expected.

"Reconstruction work has gotten off to a good start, as one-third of the plan has been completed in one-fourth of the scheduled time," Mu said.

The planned investment totaled about 1 trillion yuan and covered more than 200,000 projects. It included 300 billion yuan of direct investment from the central government, of which 154 billion yuan had been already gone into the rebuilding, Mu said.

With sufficient funding, reconstruction of essential infrastructure, such as railroads, highways and airports, was able to be completed and the facilities returned to service, he said.

Up to 95.7 percent of the reconstruction for rural houses had started, 76.6 percent of which had been finished, according to Mu.