Shandong province has made strong efforts to boost infrastructure development and advance the reform and development of social programs in an effort to safeguard and improve living standards over the past five years.

Since comprehensive renovations on old urban residential communities were carried out in 2016, Shandong has invested more than 16 billion yuan (2.45 billion) in the project. By the end of September this year, 7,700 such projects were underway, benefiting 2.52 million residents.

Shandong has also accelerated the transformation of its shantytowns. During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period, 2.55 million housing units in rundown urban areas were rebuilt and 222,000 dilapidated rural houses were renovated in in the province, exceeding government targets.

The East Ring Road in Qingdao West Coast New Area [Photo/VCG]

Shandong has been working to improve the quality of its urban living environment. Statistics show that during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the province added 46,200 square meters of urban green space, 15,400 hectares of urban park space, 516 new comprehensive parks, community parks, and other parks, and more than 4,500 kilometers of urban greenways.

The beautiful countryside in Linyi, Shandong province [Photo/VCG]

The province has also made significant progress in developing a beautiful countryside with a pleasant living environment.

Throughout a three-year campaign to improve the rural living environment and carry out the rural vitalization strategy, Shandong has made constant efforts to improve toilets and rural living facilities and make a healthy environment the backbone of rural revitalization.

Tongyugou village in Qingzhou, Shandong province [Photo/VCG]