China to promote urbanization next year

China is putting the focus on improving the quality and healthy development of urban areas. According to a recent report by Shanghai Securities, an increase of a single percentage point of urbanization would bring about more than seven trillion yuan of domestic consumption.

In 2011, China's urban population outnumbered that of rural areas, accounting for over 51 percent of the total. The rate of people living in cities is expected to increase to 70 percent by 2030.

To boost domestic consumption and improve people's well-being, policymakers said over the weekend that they would reinforce urban and rural social security networks, and build cities with more logical layouts, as well as improving resources and the environment.

As more migrant workers from rural areas become urban dwellers, the country will incorporate the concept of an ecological civilization in the urbanization process, to build intelligent, green and low-carbon cities.