CHANGSHA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called for faster construction of affordable housing.

    "In the affordable housing projects lie the immediate interests of the people, especially low-income families," said Li at a working conference on the issue in Changsha, capital of the central Hunan Province.

    He said affordable homes could increase investment and stimulate consumption, and were an important measure to deal with the global financial crisis and to maintain economic growth.

    The government has pledged that 7.5 million affordable homes will be provided in cities, and 2.4 million in forest districts, reclamation areas, and coal-mining regions by the end of 2011. This year, 2.6 million urban and 800,000 rural homes would be built. Another 800,000 rural homes in poor condition will be renovated.