China will put the bulk of its investment on developing agriculture, low-cost housing, infrastructure, energy conservation and social welfare next year, the People's Daily reported yesterday.

Explaining the use of the central government investment, Zhang Ping, minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission, said the country will invest more in construction of key water control projects, repair of reservoirs in danger and building of more water-saving facilities at major irrigation areas.

The investment will also target housing for low-income families in urban and rural areas, and local governments are required to provide funds and land for such projects.

The country will speed up construction of key highway and railway sections for energy transport such as the railway line from Lanzhou, capital of northwestern China's Gansu Province, to Chongqing, the largest citi in western China, and the railway line linking Lanzhou with Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, among others.

In energy conservation, the country will provide more financial aid for waste water disposal and garbage processing facilities, and spread of use of indigenous nuclear and wind power equipment.

In addition, more funds will be in the pipeline for upgrading existing school buildings, improving public health networks, offering family planning services, and building rural cultural centers and other social welfare projects.

(Shanghai Daily December 15, 2008)