BEIJING -- The China Development Bank (CDB), one of the country's policy banks, provided 875.9 billion yuan ($137.72 billion) of loans in 2021 to support the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Of the total, 449.3 billion yuan was allocated to the protection and green development of the area, contributing to ecological restoration and pollution control along the Yangtze River.

The CDB said it will continue to support the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt financially.

The Yangtze River Economic Belt covers nine provinces and two municipalities, accounting for more than 40 percent of China's population and economic aggregate.

Founded in 1994, the CDB was designed to provide finance to major national projects and development strategies.