China moves to upgrade ‘15-minute community life circles’ to facilitate urban living

BEIJING -- China will upgrade the "15-minute community life circles" to provide easier access to essential services for urban residents, according to a notice released jointly by the commerce ministry and eight other government departments on Friday.

By 2030, the government plans to create 10,000 convenient "life circles," ensuring residents can access community services, including childcare and elderly care, cultural and sports facilities, and healthcare centers, within a 15-minute walk from their homes.

Over the next five years, 100 pilot cities will be selected to expand the coverage of these "life circles," targeting both central urban districts and eligible counties, according to the notice.

Priority will be given to ensuring the supply of essential services, including breakfast outlets, wet markets and repair services. Elderly care will be mandatory in such communities, and there will be more public childcare facilities.

Efforts will also focus on promoting a diverse mix of businesses such as specialty restaurants, news-style bookstores and pet shops, and encouraging the sharing economy through initiatives like shared living rooms, study spaces and toolboxes, the notice stated.

The government will strengthen policy support by providing at least 30 square meters of community service facilities per 100 households. Essential stores will be integrated into emergency supply systems, while smart parcel lockers and express delivery terminals will be included into public service infrastructure planning.

Localities are encouraged to support low-profit and public-interest businesses such as community canteens and small repair shops through ways like rent reductions. Financial subsidies will also go to the renovation of community commercial centers and wet markets, according to the notice.

China built a total of 4,335 "15-minute community life circles" by 2024, benefiting 107 million people, according to official data released earlier this year.