BEIJING - China's top economic planner has approved 50 fixed-asset investment projects worth 320.7 billion yuan (about $45.1 billion) in the first four months of this year.

These projects are primarily in the high-tech industries and water conservation, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) spokesperson Li Chao told a press conference on Tuesday.

From January to April, the country's fixed-asset investment expanded 4.2 percent year-on-year to 14.34 trillion yuan, buoyed by government policies designed to expand effective investment

ALSO READ: China issues plan to promote opening up, attract investment

In April alone, the NDRC approved 20 fixed-asset investment projects worth 115.2 billion yuan, Li said.

From January to April, the country's fixed-asset investment expanded 4.2 percent year-on-year to 14.34 trillion yuan, buoyed by government policies designed to expand effective investment.

Boosted by government policies, investment in large-scale equipment renewals registered relatively fast expansion. During the period, investment in equipment and instruments rose by 17.2 percent compared with a year earlier, 13 percentage points higher than the overall investment growth pace.

READ MORE: China pledges effective pro-foreign investment measures

Looking ahead, efforts will be made to fully leverage the role of market entities and guide the private firms to invest and actively participate in the equipment renewals and trade-ins of consumer goods, Li said.