TMTPOST -- China’s banking and insurance industries provided 170 trillion yuan (USD 23.9 trillion) in new funds to the real economy over the five years covered by the 14th Five-Year Plan, the authorities announced on Monday. Funding was delivered through credit, bonds, equity, and other channels. Key areas received targeted support, according to a joint statement by the People’s Bank of China, the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA), the Central Financial Commission, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission at a conference reviewing the sector’s achievements. Loans for scientific research and technology, medium- and long-term loans for manufacturing, and infrastructure financing grew at average annual rates of 27%, 22%, and 10%, respectively, said Li Yunze, NFRA director. Inclusive loans to small and micro enterprises reached 36 trillion yuan (USD 5 trillion), up 2.3 times from the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan, while the average interest rate fell by 2 percentage points.