Jan. 4, 2007 (China Knowledge) – China will be improving its infrastructure in the rural areas to enhance local transport and enhance protection from natural disasters, announced the ministry of communications on Thursday.

A total of 300,000 km of roads will be built in rural areas, while ferries and bridges will be revamped. The ministry also said that the western and central regions will be given more attention in the expansion of road networks.

According to the ministry, about 260,000 km of roads have recently been built or upgraded in rural areas, dramatically improving local transport for 30 million Chinese in rural China.