(Yicai Global) Sept. 24 -- Consumption is vital to the economy, the deputy head of China's top economic planning agency said, as he outlined the government's strategy. In the first half, consumption contributed about 60 percent to the economy, more than 40 percentage points more than investment.

Per-capita disposable income is 59 times that of 1949 and expenditure is 28 times higher than it was in 1956, the National Development and Reform Commission's Ning Jizhe said at a special press conference today to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China next week.

The government is looking to increase investment, both state and private, as well as introducing special municipal bonds to ameliorate industrial structures, he said. It plans to distribute part of next year's quota of special bonds early, for use in sectors such as transport, energy and environmental protection.

It will focus on promoting the upgrade of industries and the development of new infrastructure, including fifth-generation technologies and artificial intelligence, as well as newly-emerging strategic industry clusters, he said.

Car purchase restrictions should gradually be lifted, Ning added. Both the cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen have relaxed car buying curbs, while Xi'an and Kunming are considering new measures. The trade-in of autos, home appliances and consumer electronics should also continue to be actively promoted.

The government will promote the construction industry by reducing the capital threshold for infrastructure and other projects, encouraging non-governmental investment in such areas, accelerating the turnover of projects as well as increasing each project's reserves, Ning said.