BEIJING, June 19 -- The central government has allocated 185.9 billion yuan (30.5 billion U.S. dollars) to the renovation of run-down areas and dilapidated rural houses so far this year, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MHURD) disclosed Friday.
Specifically, 149.4 billion yuan was used to renovate run-down areas, while 36.5 billion yuan was allocated to rural housing, according to MHURD Vice Minister Wang Ning.
The government is pushing to improve housing conditions amid rapid urbanization.
The State Council, China's cabinet, on Wednesday announced a plan to build 18 million apartments in urban areas and renovate 10.6 million rural houses between 2015 and 2017.
Wang said the ministry will formulate an implementation plan for the program and draft a financing mechanism.
From 2008 to 2014, the central government allocated 450.6 billion yuan to the program, according to Wang.
Students take graduation photos in ancient costumes
Forbidden City collects evidence from nude photo shoot
Dragon boat race held to celebrate upcoming Duanwu Festival 
Chinese students learn Duanwu customs in Hefei, Anhui
Abandoned village swallowed by nature
Graduation: the time to show beauty in strength
School life of students in a military college
Top 16 Chinese cities with the best air quality in 2014
Mysterious “sky road” in Mount Dawagengzha
Sad moment for Hong Kong democratic process
Top dogs: 12 cartoon canines that won our hearts
Shopping up a storm
Straight through the mountainsDay|Week
