A decade through the lens: Housing projects help revive shanties

Editor's note: To mark the convening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China Daily has selected 10 sets of photo stories that illustrate various aspects of the country's development during the past decade, the achievements and experiences of the Party's cause, and the country under Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, via pictures, posters and videos. This is the sixth in the series.

On Sept 21, Mao Xianguo, who erects pit props in a mining team at China Pingmei Shenma Group's No 2 Coal Mine, was visited by his daughter and grandchild in his apartment on the Xiaonan Housing Estate. The estate is part of a company-financed renovation project of a shantytown in Pingdingshan, Henan province.

Until five years ago, the 46-year-old and his family of four lived in a single-story house Mao rented from a local farmer. However, he bought the 120-square-meter, five-room apartment with housing funds he received from the State-owned company. According to the company, it has renovated and rebuilt 24,311 apartments for its employees and other locals.

Many coal mines have been upgraded in tandem with the development of the country's coal industry, while many coal towns have undergone face-lifts. The miners' living standards have been greatly improved, and many of them now live in modern apartment buildings.