Chinese vice premier calls for high-quality development of Xiongan New Area

Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, presides over a symposium during his inspection to the Xiongan New Area in north China's Hebei Province, May 14, 2018. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng has called for high-standard and high-quality development of the Xiongan New Area, during his recent inspection tour to the region.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, underlined the importance of drawing world-class advanced experience and putting people first in design and construction of the new area.

"The layout of Xiongan should combine modern and traditional cultural elements with compatible architectural features and colors, as well as city skylines," Han said. "Underground transportation and pipeline systems should be designed in a scientific way in order to properly utilize underground space."

Han called for the speedy construction of the transport system linking Xiongan and the outside areas. Efforts should also be made on infrastructure construction, industrial layout, and environmental protection and ecological restoration of the Baiyangdian Lake, the largest fresh water lake in north China and an important part of Xiongan.

"Xiongan will be the location for Beijing's non-capital functions. It should aim at the high-end of the industrial chain and frontier of the world science development, accommodating key industries of strategic importance and national competitiveness," he said.

It's necessary to work fast on drafting measures supporting Xiongan New Area's reform and opening-up, and targeted policies on fiscal policy, land, investment and financing should be worked out, stressed Han.

In April 2017, China announced the establishment of Xiongan New Area, spanning three counties in Hebei Province about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing.

Xiongan is another new area of "national significance" following the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and Shanghai Pudong New Area.