CHINA has unveiled a plan outlining major targets for a national road network as part of its efforts to sustain a modern economic system with an improved inter-area transport layout and increased traffic capacity, the country’s top economic planner said yesterday.

By 2035, the country aims to basically build a modern national road network that is extensive, fully functional, efficient, green, intelligent, and safe, according to a statement jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Transport.

China will seek to form a multi-center road network pattern, and further smoothen a transport network that links provinces, city clusters, and counties, NDRC spokesperson Meng Wei told a press conference.

The new plan involves national roads with a total length of about 461,000 km, consisting of 162,000-km national expressways and 299,000-km highways.

National expressways spanning nearly 58,000 km will be constructed or restored, compared to 110,000 km of highways, Meng said.

“Highways provide non-tolled basic public transportation services, while national expressways offer efficient and fast transport services,” Meng added.(Xinhua)