BEIJING — China's centrally administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have invested almost 100 billion yuan (about $14.85 billion) to help lift 221 poor counties out of poverty since 2016, according to the country's top state asset watchdog.

Central SOEs have been increasing infrastructure investment in poverty-stricken areas to help solve livelihood problems, said Hao Peng, chief of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

"This demonstrates that central SOEs are taking a leading role in fulfilling their corporate social responsibility," Hao said.

China, as the world's second-largest economy, aims to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society by the end of the year.