BEIJING — China saw 373 new public-private partnership (PPP) projects registered in the first half of the year, according to the country's top economic planner.

A total of 127 projects were related to urban infrastructure, data from the National Development and Reform Commission showed.

Sectors including agriculture, forestry, water conservation and transportation also reported new PPP projects in the period.

PPPs act as collaborative investment models between government and private companies.

Chinese authorities have been exploring funding infrastructure and public works through PPP models in recent years, aiming to reduce local government debts and provide new opportunities to private capital.