BEIJING, April 16 -- China will continue to provide central fiscal support this year for selected cities to carry out urban renewal actions, according to a notice issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development on Thursday.

The support will target cities at the prefectural level and above in 2026, with no more than 15 cities to be selected through competitive review, the notice stated.

Selected cities will receive fixed-amount subsidies from the central government, the notice revealed.

Cities are required to formulate urban renewal plans, integrate central and local funds, significantly improve urban infrastructure, enhance living environments in old urban areas, and refine regulations, planning standards, financing mechanisms and supporting policies.

It urges exploring models and mechanisms that can be copied and spread to more areas.