政府700亿元预算建设水利项目

China’s economic planner the National Development & Reform Commission released a raft of data Wednesday, showing a slowly recovering economy. The NDRC also says the Chinese government will invest 70 billion yuan, or 11 billion US dollars, into agricultural infrastructure, mainly in water conservancy.

Daily electricity production from 1st to 24th March rose by about 8.5 percent compared to last year. Daily amount of coal transportation on railways in mid March also rose slightly from a year before. Plus crude oil processing since 1st of March has been climbing as well. All these numbers, as unveiled by the National Development & Reform Commission, suggest China’s economy in March is on track to a steady growth.

"These economic index show economy in March is running steadily, and has seen a slight pick-up." Lu Pumin, General Secretary of NDRC said.

The NDRC also says the Chinese government will step up investment in the agricultural sector. The central government has allocated over 50 percent of the budget to agriculture last year, with total investment amounted to some 220 billion yuan.

The NDRC says this year’s budget allocation will surpass last year’s number. It also says 70 billion yuan will be set aside for infrastructure of the agri-sector, such as water irrigation projects, conservancy of major rivers and lakes. Investment in rural residents’ lively-hood will also be increased.

"We will improve infrastructure construction in water, electricity, gas, roads, and telecommunications in rural areas. And accelerate building methane pool, improving drinking water security, and renovating dilapidated houses." Lu Pumin said.

The NDRC says it will prioritise projects with quick effects, and favoured by farmers. The total scale of agriculture infrastructure construction is estimated to be at around 1 trillion yuan.