China released a national report detailing its progress in implementing the United Nations' New Urban Agenda, sharing practical experience and policy innovations in poverty eradication, urbanization, and improving living environments as part of its commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The report, titled Promoting High-Quality Urban Development Towards the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — China National Report on the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda, was compiled by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development in collaboration with over 40 government departments and launched in Beijing earlier this week.

Adopted by the UN in 2016, the New Urban Agenda serves as the urban implementation framework for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, promoting inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. Over the past decade, China has taken concrete actions that have yielded achievements in urban development.

According to the report, China's urban population swelled from 819 million to 954 million between 2016 and 2025, lifting the country's urbanization rate from 58.8 percent to 67.9 percent.

By 2025, China's 19 major urban clusters housed 75 percent of the population and contributed about 85 percent of the country's GDP.

The number of cities with GDP exceeding one trillion yuan ($147.6 billion) grew to 29 as of 2025, while the country also lays claim to 24 of the world's top 100 science and technology innovation clusters.

In the environmental sphere, the report showcased China's efforts in green and low-carbon transformation, ecological protection, and building disaster-resilient cities.

China has also actively participated in UN-Habitat cooperation, organizing a series of World Cities Day events and establishing the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award), which have been widely recognized by the international community.

The report also outlines China's strategic direction for future urban development. The country will continue to pursue a people-centered approach, focus on high-quality urban development, promote intensive urban growth, and use urban renewal as a key lever to build modern, people-friendly cities that are innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, culturally vibrant, and smart.