IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Beijing

Billions targeted at housing renovation

Beijing will spend 30.8 billion yuan ($4.5 billion) on renovating substandard urban houses this year, the government said on Sunday. The budget is 60 percent more than last year. Around 36,000 homes in rundown areas, including four traditional hutong around the Nanluoguxiang tourist site, will be targeted this year. According to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the renovation is part of Beijing's efforts to build a world-class livable city.