In China, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) is the governmental body responsible for urban development and construction. Its full name translates to the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and it oversees urban and rural planning, land use, real estate, housing security, and urban infrastructure development. The ministry’s predecessor was the National Urban Construction Headquarters, established on March 12, 1979, with approval from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. On March 15, 2008, under the State Council’s institutional reform plan adopted at the First Session of the 11th National People’s Congress, the former Ministry of Construction was restructured and renamed to its current form.
Against the backdrop of China’s rapid urbanization, manhole covers, as critical components of urban infrastructure, directly impact citizens’ daily lives and a city’s overall image in terms of quality, safety, and aesthetics. Consequently, MOHURD plays a vital role in regulating and managing the manhole cover industry.
MOHURD formulates and refines policies and regulations for the industry to ensure its healthy development from the ground up. By establishing industry standards, it governs all stages of manhole cover production—including design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance—to guarantee compliance with national quality and safety requirements. Additionally, MOHURD strengthens oversight of the industry, rectifying or penalizing non-compliant enterprises and products, thereby upholding market order and fair competition.
Manhole cover manufacturers actively align with MOHURD’s policy directives, enhancing product quality and performance through technological innovation and product upgrades. On one front, companies invest in R&D to develop new materials and advanced manufacturing techniques, improving load-bearing capacity, corrosion resistance, and service life. On another front, they prioritize aesthetics and environmental sustainability, steering the industry toward green, low-carbon, and sustainable development.
Moreover, MOHURD maintains close communication and collaboration with industry stakeholders. Through organizing industry conferences and standards training, the ministry provides guidance and support to enterprises, fostering technological advancement and industrial modernization. In turn, manhole cover companies actively participate in MOHURD-led initiatives, offering insights and recommendations to refine policies and standards.
