China will step up efforts to upgrade its construction industry by prioritizing quality, innovation and safety, as part of its push to build an upgraded version of the "Chinese Construction" brand during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

In a recent interview with China Central Television, Ni Hong, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, said the construction sector will focus on delivering high-quality building products, fostering new quality productive forces, and enhancing global competitiveness through technological innovation and institutional reform.

"The construction industry is not only an important pillar of the national economy, but also a traditional foundational industry, bearing directly on overall development, employment stability, and people's well-being. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we will strive to achieve the fundamental goal of providing high-quality construction products, cultivate new quality productive forces in the construction industry, promote its quality upgrading and transformation, and build an upgraded version of 'Chinese Construction'," said Ni.

Ni noted that technological innovation and application will be placed in a more prominent position. China will vigorously develop new construction methods such as intelligent construction, promote engineering organization and implementation models that adapt to these methods, and cultivate a modern, skilled construction workforce, he added.

Meanwhile, authorities will deepen reforms of the construction market mechanism, striking a balance between vitality and regulation, the official said.

While further energizing market entities, the government will strengthen regulation through standardization, digitalization and the rule of law, creating a market environment that values integrity, fair competition and quality.

"We will uphold quality as the foundation, advancing coordinated efforts in standards, technology, materials, management and regulations to improve building quality. Safety concepts will be embedded throughout the entire process of design, construction and operation. We will promote the establishment of a full life-cycle safety management system for buildings and firmly safeguard the safety bottom line," Ni said.

In addition, China will leverage the overall strengths of "Chinese Construction" by integrating upstream and downstream industrial chains, while encouraging and supporting construction enterprises to go global. These efforts aim to steadily enhance the construction industry's position and competitiveness in the global division of labor, the official added.