Beijing is targeting the mid-term policymaking goals in the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region this year, said Tan Xuxiang, director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform and director of the Beijing office overseeing the region's coordinated development, in a TV program aired on Jan. 22.
Hefty investment in Tianjin and Hebei
Tan said the strategy of the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has made extraordinary achievement, as citizens in Beijing witnessed improvement in the environment and the quality of life.
Beijing has invested more than 560 billion yuan (US$87.65 billion) in Tianjin and Hebei over the past three-plus years.
The coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region as drawn in China's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) is at its midpoint in 2018. As such, development authorities have rolled out the action plan for the 2018-2020 period and identified work priorities for this year.
The Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform will conduct research on the establishment of systemic incentive mechanisms and supporting policies, thus accelerating the process of phasing out Beijing's non-capital functions.
The commission also planned a slew of major projects to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
As one of the four strategic cooperation functional areas for Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development, the Beijing New Airport Economic Zone, which covers an area of about 150 kilometers, is revving up its construction.
With the zone's spatial and industrial plans already hammered out, the authorities will work on its regulatory plan and urban design to kickstart the first phase of the construction.
Cooperation on Xiongan New Area in full swing
Beijing has kept a close eye on the development of Xiongan New Area, dubbed one of the "two wings" of the capital, as cooperation on the construction of the new area has gathered steam.
Tan said the deal on building the Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park in Xiongan New Area has been signed, and Beijing will help construct three schools and a hospital in the new area this year.
In a partnership program, Beijing No. 80 High School, Zhongguancun No. 3 Primary School, Beijing Chaoyang Experimental Primary School and Beijing Liuyi Kindergarten will offer assistance to Anxin No. 2 High School, Rongcheng Primary School, Xiongxian No. 2 Primary School and Xiongxian Kindergarten.
In regard to industrial cooperation, Beijing will accelerate the construction of the Zhongguancun Science and Technology Industrial Base and the New Industrial Incubator in Xiongan, and make the Xiongan Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park a testing ground for a series of new policies, channeling Beijing's resources in science and technology and innovation to Xiongan New Area.
In regard to infrastructure, Beijing will speed up the construction of projects including the Beijing-Xiongan Intercity Railway and the Beijing-Xiongan Highway,
Stepping up removal of non-capital functions
Beijing has cleared 3,200 hectares of land to be turned into green and public space, the equivalent to more than half of Dongcheng District. According to the city, it aims to complete construction on half of these areas this year.
In addition, the city will build more urban forest parks and community-based parks to offer residents more green spaces.
Tan also pledged the city would add 1,400 community service outlets, channel more government funds into the construction of amenities, and encourage the construction of multi-functional community service complexes to secure provision of high-quality, affordable, safe and convenient commodities.