BEIJING — China's National Development and Reform Commission has released the second batch of major project lists for 2026 under the country's initiative for implementing major national strategies and building security capacity in key areas.

It also allocated 216.8 billion yuan ($31.8 billion) in ultra-long-term special treasury bonds to support 336 key projects, said the commission's announcement on Sunday.

The projects span key areas including artificial intelligence, urban underground pipeline renovation, transport infrastructure along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, high-standard farmland and higher education upgrading, the NDRC said.

Combined with the first batch of 389.7 billion yuan previously allocated, total funding for supporting projects for implementing major national strategies and building security capacity in key areas has reached 606.5 billion yuan, accounting for 76 percent of the full-year earmarked amount of 800 billion yuan.

An official from the commission said that further efforts will be made to improve investment and financing mechanisms, accelerate the implementation of "soft infrastructure" measures and strengthen supervision of central investment funds.

Transport infrastructure, a core focus of the bond-funded program, has already seen tangible progress in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

The Changsheng Road renovation project in Changzhou Economic Development Zone, Jiangsu province, was completed by State builder China Railway 24th Bureau Group Corp, and has recently been completed and opened to traffic, adding a vital link to the region's road network.

Stretching 730 meters east-to-west, the road was constructed using first-class highway standards with integrated urban road functions. Changsheng Road features a dual six-lane design with a designed speed of 60 kilometers per hour, connecting Changzhou's main urban area with neighboring Wuxi. The project has greatly alleviated a long-standing traffic bottleneck in the area.

With the full connection of Changsheng Road with East Ring Road and Zhongwu Avenue at a cross junction, the regional road network structure has been further improved. The upgraded roadway will significantly enhance daily travel convenience for tens of thousands of commuters, as well as lift logistics efficiency for enterprises along the route, the project manager with CR24G said.

Xinhua - China Daily