BEIJING — China saw a total of 150 new public-private partnership (PPP) projects registered in the first quarter of 2020, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

Of the total, 55 projects were related to urban infrastructure, the highest among other sectors.

By far, a total of 7,089 PPP projects had been registered in a national data bank, the NDRC data showed.

PPPs are a collaborative investment model between government and private companies.

Chinese authorities have explored funding infrastructure and public works through PPP models since late 2013, reducing local government debts and opening new opportunities for private capital.