China to Expand Rural Place-Name Initiative in 15th Five-Year Plan

The State Council Information Office held a September 23 press conference on civil affairs development during the 15th Five-Year Plan. Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Shu Huihao said the ministry has advanced the Rural Place-Name Initiative since 2023, standardizing 927,000 rural place names, installing 32 million place-name signs and door plates, and having internet map platforms standardize more than 12 million rural place names and points of interest. During the 15th Five-Year Plan, the initiative will be expanded and upgraded, extending the full chain of naming, signage, data collection and mapping, deepening integration of standard place-name services with delivery logistics, livelihood…