The Chinese central government has decided to issue an additional 1 trillion yuan ( about $136.8 billion) in sovereign bonds in the fourth quarter of 2023, in an attempt to support disaster-hit areas to rebuild and better protect people's lives and properties.

The funds will be distributed to local governments to support national disaster prevention and recovery, according to China's Finance Ministry.

(Cover: Construction vehicles build a road after flood hit Fangshan District, Beijing, China, Sept. 15, 2023. /CFP)