China to improve urban underground infrastructure

China will enact several new measures to improve urban underground infrastructure in an effort to upgrade urbanization and economic development, according to a decision by the State Council, China's cabinet, on Wednesday.

Better urban underground infrastructure will stimulate investment, increase the supply of public goods, and improve modern urbanization, which serves as China's new growth engine, according to a statement released after an executive meeting of the State Council presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.

The meeting urged more effective steps to develop urban underground infrastructure, utilize underground space, improve urban carrying capacity and satisfy people's needs.

It urged demonstration pipe networks to be built throughout the country and overhead power lines of existing urban electric power and communication networks to be replaced by underground cables.

It stressed improved quality standards for pipe networks, especially in earthquake resistance and disaster prevention, and clarified relevant responsibilities for quality and safety of underground projects.

The meeting also encouraged individual capital to invest in the construction and operation of underground pipe networks. Endi