Dazhong Daily:

In recent years, China's infrastructure development has seen rapid growth. How does the NDRC view the role of infrastructure in economic and social development? Thank you.

Zheng Shanjie:

I would like to invite Mr. Li to answer this question.

Li Chunlin:

Thank you for your question. I'm very glad to answer it. We all know that infrastructure is an important support for economic and social development. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's infrastructure consistently demonstrated innovative strength and rapid acceleration, delivering "China speed" and "China Quality," fulfilling people's growing expectations for a better and happier life. We have all witnessed this. I would like to quote four comments from netizens in answer to your question.

The first comment, "The road network, woven like fine embroidery, paints a panorama of rivers and mountains," describes how China's infrastructure network is now more systematic and well-developed. For example, the "arteries" are more unimpeded. The main framework of the national integrated multidimensional transportation network featuring "six axes, seven corridors and eight channels" is now over 90% complete. The network covers more than 80% of counties, serving around 90% of the national economy and population, forming a national economic artery that connects east to west, north to south, and links border regions and seas. Another example, the "capillaries" are more developed. By the end of 2024, the total mileage of rural roads reached 4.64 million kilometers. Poverty alleviation efforts have ensured that virtually every village is connected by paved roads, facilitating the movement of industrial goods to rural areas and agricultural products into cities. More villagers enjoy conveniences such as local bus services and parcel deliveries to their doors.

The second comment, "Same-day delivery ensures freshness, and village roads turn remote areas into neighbors," illustrates how the infrastructure system has become more efficient and practical. On one hand, smooth logistics have helped reduce overall social costs and improve efficiency. In 2024, logistics costs nationwide were cut by over 400 billion yuan, and this year we expect to reduce them again by about 300 billion yuan. The cold chain logistics system is now much more robust and efficient. This ensures that fresh lychees can be enjoyed not only in places like Chang'an (present-day Xi'an in Shaanxi province), but also quite readily in far more distant cities such as Lhasa and Urumqi. On the other hand, people can enjoy a modern lifestyle whereby easy transportation is more possible. Passengers can transfer smoothly between different modes of transport and tourism is easier than ever. People can set out for a trip at the drop of a hat, and arrive in no time. They can enjoy dim sum in Guangzhou in the morning, and marvel at ice sculptures in Harbin by evening.

The third comment, "Technology adds vitality, and green energy fuels momentum," captures how our infrastructure system has become smarter and greener. New technologies have breathed fresh life into traditional infrastructure. In 2024, China's ports handled an average of 38,000 TEUs per hour, 26% higher than in 2020 — and among the fastest globally. Green energy is now lighting up millions of homes. In 2024, renewable energy power generation reached 3.46 trillion kilowatt-hours, 1.6 times the level at the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020). The number of highway charging stations has more than quadrupled over four years, now covering 98.4% of highway service areas, greatly reducing range anxiety for electric vehicle drivers.

The fourth comment, "Critical national infrastructure can withstand any upheaval and brave a century of challenges," highlights how our infrastructure system has become safer and more reliable. Recently completed projects like the Baihetan Hydropower Station, and the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link are designed to last over a century. China's Hualong One nuclear power unit, with all of its core components produced domestically, adopts the highest international safety standards and is capable of withstanding magnitude-9 earthquakes and category-17 typhoons. In 2024, national reservoirs, by impounding floodwaters, reduced the inundation of over 16 million mu of arable land and averted the displacement of more than 11 million people. At the same time, China has completed 44 ultra-high voltage transmission channels, with another four under construction. The power grid is not only large in scale and wide in coverage but also strong and reliable. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, there have been no major power safety incidents. Last Friday, which was July 4, the national electricity load reached a historic high of 1.465 billion kilowatts, and electricity generation also reached an all-time high of 32.9 billion kilowatt-hours. That record was broken again this Monday, reaching 1.467 billion kilowatts. In September 2024, after Super Typhoon Yagi made landfall, it took only 80 hours to restore power to the cross-sea cable between Hainan and Guangdong.

China's infrastructure has made such remarkable progress because we have always stayed true to our original aspiration: serving development and improving people's lives. This reflects the determination to overcome difficulties and the perseverance of moving mountains. Going forward, we will adhere to the principle of building moderately ahead of demand, but not excessively ahead, and continue to consolidate our strengths, address weak links and raise our infrastructure system to new heights. Thank you.