Not only does the state generally feature a low cost of living, but Wei says its cities have done a nice job differentiating themselves.

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Authorities have built 1 million houses in rural areas and 33, 000 apartments in the cities, said Yu Wei, spokesman of Sichuan provincial government, last Thursday at a press conference, according to state media.

CNN: China quake scars linger amid rebuilding

Authorities have built 1 million houses in rural areas and 33, 000 apartments in cities, Yu Wei, spokesman for the Sichuan provincial government, said last Thursday at a news conference, according to state media.

CNN: Amid rebuilding, scars linger from China quake