China's economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, has approved 218 fixed-asset projects worth 1.8 trillion yuan, or 285.3 billion US dollars, in the first nine months of this year. The approvals included infrastructure, energy and high-technology projects.
China has increased efforts to shore up its economy in recent months, ranging from fast-tracking infrastructure investments to cutting down-payments for some first-time home buyers, whilst pushing ahead with financial reforms.