.

Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Wang Dongfeng, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hebei Provincial Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Hebei Province

Xu Qin, vice secretary of the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee and governor of the People's Government of Hebei Province

Zhang Zheng, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee

Chairperson:

Chen Wenjun, spokesperson of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee

Date:

June 16, 2021

Chen Wenjun:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. As we review how the CPC Central Committee and Chairman Mao deployed and commanded in Xibaipo the three major campaigns (Liaoshen, Huaihai and Pingjin Campaigns), we can still hear the sonorous historical steps of securing a nationwide victory in liberating the whole country and then establishing the new China. In Xibaipo, Comrade Mao Zedong put forward the "two musts," that is, comrades must be taught to remain modest, prudent and free from arrogance and rashness in their work style; comrades must be taught to preserve the style of plain living and hard work. Meanwhile, the CPC Central Committee emphasized important rules including "strengthening Party discipline." All of them are still of great significance for us to advance Party building; strengthen our consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership; and observe the Party's fundamental purpose of wholeheartedly serving the people.

For this press conference, we have invited Mr. Wang Dongfeng, secretary of the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Hebei Province; Mr. Xu Qin, vice secretary of the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee and governor of the People's Government of Hebei Province; and Mr. Zhang Zheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee. They will brief you on issues related to "Hebei: Carrying forward the Xibaipo Spirit and rising to challenges in the new era" and answer your questions.

Next, I will give the floor to Mr. Wang.

Wang Dongfeng:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning. It's a great pleasure to meet you here. First of all, on behalf of the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee, the People's Government of Hebei Province, and 74.6 million people of Hebei, let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for your long-term interest in and support for Hebei.

Hebei is a revolutionary land, the birthplace of numerous heroes, and where the new China came from. Li Dazhao, a native of Laoting county in the northeast of Hebei, was a pioneer of the Chinese revolution and one of the main founders of the CPC. Xibaipo in Pingshan county is a major revolutionary site. From May 1948 to March 1949, Chairman Mao and the CPC Central Committee commanded in Xibaipo the three major campaigns. These campaigns were decisive for the future of China. Also in Xibaipo, they convened the second plenary session of the seventh CPC Central Committee which had far-reaching historical significance, formed the Xibaipo Spirit with the "two musts" as its core, and compared the upcoming trek to "going for a big exam in the capital city" as they left for Beijing. As such, a greater "new Long March" started. Therefore, Xibaipo provides valuable revolutionary resources as well as a strong motivation for the campaign on Party history learning and education.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has a deep understanding and strong affection for Hebei. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, he has inspected Hebei eight times and made a series of important instructions. These include "accelerating in four aspects," which means to accelerate Hebei's development while serving and aligning with Beijing and Tianjin; accelerate the transformation of growth drivers through reform, innovation, opening up and cooperation; accelerate the improvement of the living environment through pollution control and environmental remediation; and accelerate the building of a beautiful province with a strong economy while improving people's lives through poverty reduction and shared development. Another important instruction is to "make solid progress in six major tasks." This includes doing a good job in flood prevention, disaster rescue and relief; implementing the new development philosophy; advancing the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region; stepping up environmental initiatives; fighting against poverty; and creating an honest and upright political environment. The third instruction is to "achieve concrete results in three important aspects." This includes cutting overcapacity, eliminating poverty, and making preparations for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. He also made other important instructions on "building Hebei into a beautiful province with a strong economy." He has personally planned and promoted major national strategies and events including the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the construction of Xiongan New Area, and preparations for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, which provided unprecedented historical opportunities for Hebei's development and pointed out the direction for our work. Since the 19th CPC National Congress, the entire province has steadfastly implemented the series of important instructions made by General Secretary Xi Jinping as well as the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee; followed the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; strengthened the consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; stayed confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and upheld General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and upheld the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. We have upheld the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, carried forward the Xibaipo Spirit, and implemented Hebei's working concepts for "three major tasks, six tough battles, eight strategies and nine reforms." As a result, new historic changes have been achieved in Hebei's political, economic, natural, and social environments. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), Hebei's GDP grew at an average annual rate of 6.1%. Especially last year, despite the sudden attack of COVID-19, Hebei still maintained sustained and sound economic development. In 2020, our GDP increased 3.9% year on year; the general public budget revenue grew 2.3%; the industrial structure continued to optimize, with the tertiary industry accounting for 51.7% of the province's GDP; and the main economic indicators were higher than the national average. This year, Hebei province got off to a good start in implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). In the first quarter, our GDP and the general public budget revenue increased by 15.1% and 18.8% respectively; total fixed-asset investment and the added value of industries above designated size increased by 16.2% and 17.6% respectively; our total import and export increased by 32.1%; and urban and rural income increased by 12.8%. Today's Hebei is full of vigor and vitality. With full confidence and strong motivation, the people of Hebei are working in unison to achieve greater progress in the new era and strive forward on a new journey.

Now, I'll brief you on Hebei's development in four aspects.

First, the "three major events" progressed in tandem. Major national strategies and events have brought valuable historical opportunities and powerful potential for Hebei's development. We have strictly followed General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions on "accelerating Hebei's development while serving and aligning itself with Beijing and Tianjin," and pooled all resources of the province to advance the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the construction of Xiongan New Area, and the preparatory work for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The first focus is to relieve Beijing of functions nonessential to its role as the capital and contribute to fostering the third growth pole of China's economy. We have been fulfilling the designated functions of Hebei, namely the "three zones and one base." Under this plan, Hebei will become an important national base for modern trade and logistics, a pilot zone for industrial transformation and upgrading, a demonstration zone for modern urbanization and the coordinated development of urban and rural areas, and an ecological buffer zone. Breakthroughs have been achieved in the three main areas of industrial relocation, ecological conservation, and integrated transport services. An integrated Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region via railways has taken shape. A large number of enterprises and projects have moved to Hebei, including 25,919 legal entities relocated from Beijing or Tianjin to the province, as well as 1,248 projects, each worth more than 50 million yuan ($7.76 million), which totaled 1.18 trillion yuan in investment. The coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region shows a broad range of prospects.

The second focus is to construct a demonstration zone for innovative development that implements the new development philosophy, striving to build a reputation for "Xiongan Quality." We have already formulated a high-standard framework for Xiongan New Area. The establishment of the new area has progressed from planning to simultaneous advances in promoting construction and accommodating Beijing's nonessential functions. More than 200,000 builders are currently working around the clock at busy construction sites with tower cranes. The Rongdong area of Xiongan New Area has been basically completed and the construction of the start-up area is being stepped up. More than 26,667 hectares of forest have been planted. The water quality of Baiyangdian Lake had been improved from Grade V in 2017 to Grade IV in 2020, with some parts reaching Grade III. An eco-friendly city with a lush landscape of grass, trees and water is being built. The trunk transport network around the periphery of the new area has opened to traffic, and the Beijing-Xiongan intercity railway started operation at the end of last year. The third focus is to make the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games a fabulous, unique and outstanding event and foster a new development pattern integrating the "two new driving forces." We have fully implemented the four concepts of hosting the games — green, sharing, open and honest — as well as the principles of making it "simple, safe and splendid." All 76 projects for the Winter Olympics in the Zhangjiakou competition zone were completed ahead of schedule, and testing activities have been successfully held. More than 21 million people in Hebei have participated in ice-snow sports. We have stepped up our efforts to build Zhangjiakou into the capital's water source conservation zone and an ecological buffer zone, and will take the opportunity of co-hosting the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics to make new progress in promoting the high-quality development of Zhangbei county in Zhangjiakou.

Second, we have sped up the efforts to reduce capacity, restructure, and promote industrial transformation and upgrading. New development ideas led to high-quality development and new achievements. We thoroughly implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions to quickly replace old drivers of growth with new ones through reforms, innovation, opening-up, and cooperation, and to firmly reduce capacity, proactively adjust the structure, and expedite the industrial transformation. We implemented these instructions with great efforts and firm resolve. Firstly, we insisted on dealing with overcapacity with unparalleled efforts and stood the stern test of restructuring. We focused on the six industries of steel, coal, cement, plate glass, coke, and thermal power, and surpassed the capacity reduction tasks for the 13th Five-Year Plan period. The number of steelmakers reduced from 107 to 68 as the steelmaking capacity lowered from 320 million tons at peak to within 200 million tons. We basically realized the goal for steelmakers to move out of urban areas and made flexible arrangements for 150,700 employees. The personnel placement rate reached 100%. Secondly, we insisted on building a modern industrial system with the support of the real economy that incorporates advanced manufacturing. We gained outstanding results in the optimization of the industrial structure. We carried out a massive campaign to transform enterprises above designated size. We focused on fostering 12 leading industries at provincial level and 107 characteristic industries at county level. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, new and high-tech industries saw an added annual value of 11.2% and the digital economy accounted for more than 30% of the GDP. The number of new and high-tech enterprises in the province reached 9,400. The number of medium- and small-sized tech companies reached 87,000. Last year, after fully completed the task of reducing taxes and fees for enterprises, the private sector saw a 4.4% year-on-year growth in added value and a 4.1% growth in taxes paid. Enterprises have improved significantly in terms of market competitiveness. The industrial structure has shifted: in the past, the secondary industry took up the largest part of the total GDP, followed by the tertiary and primary industries, but in 2020, the tertiary industry surpassed the secondary industry to rank first. The service industry's contribution to the total GDP reached 73.8%. Thirdly, we insisted on gaining new advantages in competition and cooperation by deepening reform and opening-up. We comprehensively improved the legal environment and the business environment. We thoroughly implemented reforms in nine key areas and the clean-up and regulation of six key areas. We proactively integrated into the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. The HBIS Group Serbia Iron & Steel has become a model of international capacity cooperation and the China International Digital Economic Expo was a success. We have sped up the development of the China (Hebei) Pilot Free Trade Zone. A livelier Hebei has become an investment destination for domestic and foreign enterprises. 

Third, we firmly implemented the people-centered development ideas and reached historical achievements in comprehensive poverty alleviation and the construction of a moderately prosperous society. We thoroughly implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instruction to strive to improve people's living standards by fighting poverty and promoting shared development. We have always paid the most attention to the public sentiments that we believe are influenced by quality of life. Firstly, we gained full success in the fight against poverty and achieved remarkable results in building a moderately prosperous society. We insisted on the implementation of poverty alleviation work by Party chiefs at the province, prefecture, county, township, and village levels. We deepened efforts to push for poverty alleviation through boosting industrial development, increasing employment, investing in technologies, and relocating impoverished people to better environments. We set up a social assistance fund and perfected long-term mechanisms to prevent poverty from arising. All impoverished people and designated impoverished counties in the province have been lifted out of poverty. The province's poverty alleviation work has been graded as good in two categories in the national appraisal system for three consecutive years. Secondly, we made unprecedented efforts to secure and improve people's livelihoods, bringing practical benefits to the people. We ensured investment in people's livelihoods as a priority. Last year, spending on people's livelihoods grew 9.7%, accounting for 81.7% of the fiscal expenditure. We carried out 20 programs over four years regarding people's livelihoods. We renovated 6,311 old residential communities, 807,000 housing units in run-down areas, and 882 urban villages. We made efforts to address the "hollow village" issue involving 1,073 villages with vacancy rates reaching 50% and above. We integrated the study and education of the Party history with efforts made to conduct practical work to improve people's livelihoods in 10 aspects. We quickly promoted the construction of kindergartens in all administrative villages. We drew up plans to build rehabilitation therapy centers in every county. We provided free after-class, on-campus services for all primary school students in the province to take care of them after 3:30 p.m. All students in need have been taken care of. Thirdly, we coordinated regular prevention and control of the pandemic with the resolve to wipe it out. Last year, we innovated the initiation of three steps in epidemic prevention and control in advance, including an epidemiological investigation into suspicious cases, the medical examination of close contacts, and the issuance of notice for returnees from Hubei to register themselves within an hour so that they could undergo physical examination and centralized quarantine. We also innovated the daily dispatch system and took the lead in establishing 120 county-level nucleic acid laboratories. It took us only 37 days to achieve zero new local confirmed cases. In response to the sudden outbreak in Shijiazhuang and other places in January this year, we organized multiple rounds of nucleic acid tests for all people to clear all confirmed cases in a relatively short period. This effectively prevented the spread of the pandemic to Beijing and surrounding areas and effectively protected people's lives and health.

Fourth, we practiced the idea that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets and achieved important results in building a beautiful Hebei with blue sky, green land, and clear waters. We thoroughly implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instruction to build a better, inhabitable environment in the process of pollution treatment and ecological restoration, with the resolve to win the battle against pollution. Firstly, we insisted on tackling pollution with stern measures that align with the law, and as a result, we started to see more and more blue sky and white clouds. We comprehensively implemented the CPC Central Committee's decisions and arrangements regarding peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality. A total of 11.25 million households have been renovated to replace coal with gas and electricity as clean and safe heating sources in winter. A total of 13,2000 industrial enterprises were shut down or regulated for not complying with various development plans, for discharging waste against the law and regulations or over relevant standards, and for operating in violation of the law or regulations. Between 2015 and last year, the PM2.5 density lowered from 74 to 44.8 micrograms per cubic meter, down nearly 40%, and continued to decrease by 11.1% in the first five months this year. Secondly, we insisted on coordinating the treatment of drainage areas and made important progress in addressing the large groundwater depression cone in northern China. We steadily pushed forward with the treatment of murky and stinky waters, the renovation program for separating rainwater from sewage, and the treatment of garbage and sewage in rural areas. Approximately 66.2% of the 74 surface water sections under national monitoring have been graded as Class Ⅲ or above, and none were graded as below Class Ⅴ. The more than 30 million people living in the intake area along the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project have benefited. We took a mixture of measures that integrated water-saving, diversion, regulation, recharging, storage, and management to reduce the use of groundwater. The amount of over-exploited groundwater has been reduced by 4.35 billion cubic meters. The water tables of deep and shallow groundwater rose by 1.19 meters and 0.24 meters, respectively. More than two-thirds of the counties with overexploitation problems saw groundwater levels begin to rise. By 2022, the province will complete the tasks assigned by the central government to reach a balance between the mining and recharging of groundwater, 13 years ahead of the plan and outperforming the requirements. Thirdly, we insisted on the systematic restoration of the eco-environment and reinforced the ecological security barrier for the capital city of Beijing. We took an integrated approach to address problems caused by mining subsidence. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the forestation areas in the province increased from 31% to more than 35%. The Saihanba mechanized forest farm was awarded the Champion of the Earth award, the highest prize in environment protection issued by the United Nations. General Secretary Xi Jinping said that the development of the forest farm set a great example in China's pursuit of ecological progress. Since 2017, 1.81 million mu of farmland has been lain fallow for planting grass and 575 square kilometers of land have been treated for soil erosion in the Bashang region of Zhangjiakou, where the idyllic pastoral life is recovering quickly. 

Hebei has attained achievements in all areas over the years. This is the result of the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core; the support from various sides, including the central government departments and other provincial-level regions; and the concerted efforts and hard work of the whole province. It epitomizes the remarkable advantages of the leadership of the Party and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and fully demonstrates that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is powerful, truthful and strong in practice. All Party members, cadres, and the general public in the province feel grateful to General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee with their whole hearts. We firmly safeguard the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, which we have firm confidence in and loyalty to, and we will work together to better meet the requirements of the new era. This is all for now. Next, myself and comrade Xu Qin and Zhang Zheng will answer questions from the media.

Chen Wenjun:

Thank you, Mr. Wang. Now, the floor is open for questions. Please identify your news outlet before asking questions.

China Media Group:

Mr. Wang just mentioned that since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has inspected Hebei eight times and issued a series of important instructions on Hebei's development. How do you promote high-quality economic and social development while implementing the guidelines of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions? Thank you.

Wang Dongfeng:

Thank you, I'll answer your question. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has inspected Hebei eight times and issued a series of important instructions including "accelerating in four aspects," "making solid progress in six major tasks," and "achieving concrete results in three important aspects," as well as building Hebei into a beautiful province with a strong economy. He emphasized fully implementing the new development philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green and open development and having its fruits shared by everyone, which is not only politically oriented and ideological, but also instructive and targeted. All these instructions point out the right direction and provide fundamental guidance for Hebei to promote high-quality economic and social development. The CPC Hebei Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Hebei Province have always taken a clear political stand and adhered to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We have made it a major political task to thoroughly study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions and the CPC Central Committee's decisions and arrangements. We have compared our standards and looked for gaps, made lists and plans, and formulated two special guidelines that respectively cover 68 tasks in 12 areas and 64 items in 6 aspects. We promised that all our problems will be solved and every task will be completed, so as to implement General Secretary's important instructions with tangible results in high-quality economic and social development. We will act as a political "moat" for the Chinese capital. We have completed the following works:

First, we are focusing on fully implementing the new development philosophy and speeding up green transition and development. The new development philosophy is a profound reform related to overall development, and has special guiding significance for Hebei, a province with significant tasks in economic structure adjustment and environmental governance. We unswervingly followed the path of prioritizing ecological and green development, made great efforts to adjust the industrial structure, and were determined to cut overcapacity. Six industries including steel have all exceeded both national and provincial targets for cutting overcapacity. We made great efforts to adjust the energy structure. During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) period, Hebei reduced coal consumption by over 31.7 million metric tons, and energy consumption per unit of GDP decreased by 21.26%. We made great efforts to adjust the transport structure, focusing on increasing rail transport to replace road transport. Last year, the proportion of railway cargo volume increased by 5 percentage points compared with 2017. We made great efforts to promote transformation and upgrades. Since 2017, a total of 1.53 trillion yuan has been invested in key technological upgrading projects in the province. Last year, the added value of industries above designated size increased by 4.7%, while the number increased by 17.6% in the first quarter of this year. We have worked hard for better quality, higher efficiency, and more robust drivers of economic growth through reform, and taken new steps in green transition.

Second, we are focusing on fostering a new development paradigm, accelerating innovative development and fostering new drivers of growth at a faster pace. We have actively extended the industrial chains, enhanced the innovation chain, stabilized supply chains, and unblocked the logistics chain. We have defined leading enterprises, upstream and downstream products, and key suppliers in 12 key industries and fields, focused on industrial and product supporting facilities, and strengthened weak links. We have built a 1 trillion-yuan industrial chain (steel), two 500-billion-yuan industrial chains (equipment, petrochemical), and four 300-billion-yuan industrial chains (biological medicine, new energy, food, textile and clothing). Last year, the added value of 12 major industries accounted for 54.1% of the province's total GDP. We carried out innovation-driven policies, and optimized technological resources for innovation. At present, there are 1,211 key laboratories and industrial technology research institutes at or above the provincial level. We focused on making breakthroughs in core technologies in key areas. Last year, the added value of the strategic emerging industry increased 7.8%, and the added value of high-tech industries increased 6.6%, which accounted for 19.4% of the industries above designated size. We actively promoted the digital economy, successfully held the China International Digital Economy Expo, and have made plans to build the Zhengding Digital Economy Industrial Park and Huailai Big Data Industrial Base. The added value of the digital economy in the province surpassed 1 trillion yuan, accounting for over 30% of total GDP, and the size is expected to double by 2025 compared with 2020.

Third, we have focused on deepening reform and opening-up and promoting the coastal economy, private economy, urban economy and county economy. We have continued to ensure coastal areas take the lead in development, optimize port functions, carry out projects on port transformation and upgrading, and deepen the integrated development of ports, industries and cities. We vow to build Qinhuangdao into a world-class tourist city; and develop Caofeidian and Huanghua port into competitive steel bases, China's first-class green petrochemical and synthetic materials bases, as well as distinctive high-end equipment manufacturing bases. We have strengthened port-centered industry and marine economy. Last year, the GDP of coastal areas accounted for 34.8% of the province's total GDP. We encouraged, supported and guided the development of the private economy at a faster pace, deepened reforms to streamline administration, delegate power and improve regulation and services, and strictly implemented policies to reduce taxes and fees, so as to create a first-class business environment. Last year, the added value of the private economy accounted for 63.3% of the province's GDP. We accelerated the development of the urban economy, sped up the construction of urban commercial and style blocks, and vigorously developed the headquarters economy, the commercial real estate economy, and financial services, so as to expand urban agglomeration effect and increase carrying capacity of our cities. We continued to expand and strengthen the county economy, upgrade development zones at all levels and of all types, and foster characteristic industries at the county level. More and more counties were included into the country's top 100 counties list. More than 40% of counties witnessed their annual general public budget revenue exceed 1 billion yuan.

We firmly believe that where there is a will there is a way. We will always thoroughly implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping and carry out the decisions and deployments made by the CPC Central Committee. As China enters a new development stage, we will focus on following a new development philosophy and fostering a new development paradigm. Through working hard and overcoming difficulties, we will make new progress in high-quality economic and social development in Hebei. Thank you.

People's Daily:

The coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, planed and promoted by General Secretary Xi Jinping, is part of China's national strategy. What kind of function does Hebei have in the coordinated development, and how will it give play to its own advantages? Thank you.

Wang Dongfeng:

Thanks for your question. The coordinated development is a major national strategy, and I will answer this question.

The coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is a major national strategy made by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and is of huge significance for moving non-capital functions out of Beijing, optimizing regional development layout and building new economic growth poles. Over the past seven years, Hebei has been focused on proper handling of the non-capital functions from Beijing and building "three areas and one base." It has made noticeable achievements in industrial relocation, ecological construction and transportation integration. The coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is of historical importance and has had far-reaching influence, greatly driving socio-economic development and promoting people's well-being. 

First, we have been focused on proper handling of the non-capital functions moved out from Beijing and promoted breakthroughs in key areas. We have focused on removing non-capital functions from Beijing, accelerating the construction of a world-class city cluster with the capital at its core, a Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei airport group and circum-Bohai Sea port group, and playing a part in building the third economic growth pole. We have focused on functional complementation, integrated interaction and industrial relocation. As a batch of major projects including the Shougang Group, Hyundai Motor Group and big data centers have settled and flourished in Hebei, a number of wholesale markets have been moved to Tangshan and Cangzhou, two major cities in the north of the province, bringing over 40,000 commercial tenants and relocating nearly 100,000 people. We have adhered to joint prevention and control in ecology, and strengthened the management of air pollution, the upstream and downstream of river systems, and soil conditions, in a bid to build an ecological compensation mechanism. Last year, the number of days classed as "good" for air quality in Hebei totaled 256, an increase of 30 days over the previous year. The PM 2.5 density was 44.8 micrograms per cubic meter, down by 10.8% year on year, hitting a record low. We now have more blue-sky days in Hebei. We are working hard to build a modern transport system. Together with Beijing and Tianjin, we have jointly built 32 transboundary routes stretching a total of 2,005 km. A transportation card that unifies fare payments for public transportation systems in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei is making life easier for residents in the three regions. The total lengths of railways and highways in operation in the province have reached 7,870 km and 8,042 km, respectively, both ranking second in the country. A transportation layout featuring integrated railways, airlines and waterways has also taken shape.

Second, we have emphasized construction of the "three areas and one base," fully playing Hebei's part in the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. First, we are accelerating the transformation of driving forces as we strive to build a national industrial transformation and upgrading demonstration area. We will continue cutting idle capacities while upgrading traditional competitive industries and promoting the development of high-end manufacturing, modern services and emerging industries of strategic importance to build a new industrial base. We will continue optimizing the industrial layout which features the tertiary sector accounting for the largest share of GDP, the secondary sector accounting for the second largest and the primary sector accounting for the smallest. Second, we are advancing the integration of urban and rural development as we work hard to build a new-type of urbanization and rural-urban overall development demonstration area. We will focus on building the regional central city and upgrading major node cities and counties guided by spatial planning. We plan to build over 300 characteristic towns and 10,000 beautiful villages, as part of efforts to improve infrastructure construction and public services. The urbanization rate among permanent residents rose from 48% in 2013 to 60% in 2020. Third, we will strive to build an ecological environment support area in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to provide a strong ecological safety barrier for the capital. We will accelerate implementation of the Construction Plan for the Capital Water Source Conservation Functional Zone and Ecological Environmental Supporting Zone in Zhangjiakou and construction of major greening projects in the Yanshan-Taihang Mountain area. In a bid to further improve the carrying capacity of the environment, We will take full advantage of the water diverted from the Yangtze and Yellow rivers, properly use the water from reservoirs and precipitation from the flood season, strengthen the comprehensive supervision and management in the over-exploitation of underground water, and reinforce the ecological protection of Hengshui Lake and the offshore areas of Bohai Sea. Fourth, we are striving to build a key base for national modern commercial-trade logistics, vigorously promoting domestic and international trade and expanding multi-layered consumption. We have given full play to our advantages in location, transportation and industries, and facilitated the construction of logistics hubs, parks and leading enterprises. As the host of the 6th and 7th China International Logistics Development Conferences, the province has realized the regular operations of China-Europe and China-Asia freight train services. The total volume of freight transportation reached 2.48 billion metric tons in 2020, ranking sixth in the world. Last year, the total value of imports and exports rose by 10.2% year on year. In the first quarter of this year, the total value of imports and exports and the total retail sales of consumer goods increased by 32.1% and 24.3%, respectively.

Third, we have actively deepened comprehensive reforms, continuously fueling the coordinated development. We have facilitated the coordinated development of the three northern counties of Hebei's Langfang city and Beijing's Tongzhou district and built 10 transboundary routes. The Langfang section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal will open to navigation by the end of June. We have accelerated construction of the Beijing Daxing International Airport economic zone, Caofeidian zone, Bohai new area, Zhengding new area, and other major projects which have constantly shown their demonstration effects. We have continued to deepen institutional reforms, promoting the mutual authentication of quality certifications and test results in the region. A total of 28 branch campuses of high-quality schools of Beijing and Tianjin have settled in Hebei. A total of 30 hospitals in Beijing and Tianjin have been included as part of Hebei's designated medical insurance system, enabling the public to better enjoy the common development and shared growth. As part of the efforts to build a community of collaborative innovation and promote research and development (R&D) in Beijing and Tianjin, and accelerate the transformation of Hebei, we have built 95 innovation alliances with universities, R&D institutions and major enterprises in Beijing and Tianjin,, attracting over 90 billion yuan worth of technological contracts from Beijing and Tianjin during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. 

The coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region enjoys huge potential and broad prospects. We will, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, ride the momentum, go forward hand in hand, fully consider the overall situation, and provide more high-quality services for Beijing and Tianjin, in a bid to achieve new breakthroughs in the region's coordinated development. Thank you. 

The Beijing News:

We have noticed that the environment in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has constantly improved in recent years, with more blue sky and white clouds. My question is, what measures has Hebei taken to curb air pollution, and what roles has the province played?

Wang Dongfeng:

Thank you for your question. Mr. Xu will answer your question. 

Xu Qin:

Thank you. The air quality in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has improved a lot in the past few years, allowing us to see more and more blue sky and white clouds. This is a result of the region's comprehensive implementation of Xi Jinping thought on eco-civilization, which has brought greater green benefits for the people. 

Attaching great importance to ecological protection of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of important instructions. Unswervingly adhering to General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions, the CPC Hebei Provincial Committee has been striving to build a beautiful Hebei province with blue sky, green land and clean water. We have drawn up and implemented the "1+18" series of policies and an action plan for containing air pollution, while utilizing scientific, targeted and law-based methods. Therefore, the average density of PM 2.5 in Hebei province last year had declined by 56.9% from that of 2013. From January to May this year, this decreased by a further 11.1%. Hebei is committed to winning the "battle for blue skies" as part of the coordinated efforts by Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei to curb pollution. We must fight the pollution in an all-round manner and find the root causes. That is why we have emphasized restructuring industry, energy and transportation.

First, we have adjusted the industrial structure. Implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions for Hebei to cut overcapacity, adjust structures and accelerate shift of the growth model, we have handled overcapacity, restructured industries, and made innovations in accelerating shift of the growth model. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), Hebei cut production capacity by more than 82 million metric tons of crude steel, more than 55 million metric tons of coal, more than 11 million metric tons of cement, more than 31 million metric tons of coke, 49 million weight cases of plate glass, and 2.3 million kilowatts of thermal power. Meanwhile, we have stepped up efforts to foster strategic emerging industries and high-tech industries, and have seen the number of national high-tech companies rise from over 2,000 to more than 9,000 by the end of last year, while this number is expected to exceed 10,000 this year. High-tech enterprises above designated size are very robust, with their average added-value enjoying double-digit growth in the last three years. The industrial structure has been further improved and emissions have been reduced at the source. 

Second, we have further optimized the energy structure. We have insured cleaner use of coal and substituted coal with clean energy, promoting the development of green energy. Using clean energy for winter heating in northern China is at the core of improving air quality in winter. Resolutely implementing the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on clean heating in northern China, we have upheld the principles of using gas, electricity and coal according to the specific conditions. With the huge support of the National Development of Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, pooling the whole province's efforts, we have replaced the use of coal in 11.25 million households with clean energy such as gas and electricity, thus improving the local environment. Meanwhile, we have accelerated the renovation of coal-fired industrial boilers, taking the lead in the country in eradicating those at or below 35 steam tons per hour. We have now phased out almost all of our more than 90,000 such boilers. As for coal-fired boilers above 35 steam tons per hour, we have basically completed their ultra-low emission renovation. We have taken an active role in developing clean energies such as wind energy and solar energy. By the end of 2020, the installed capacity of wind power and photoelectricity of Hebei amounted to 44.64 million kilowatts, ranking among the top provinces in China. 

Third, we have further improved existing capacity and deepened controls of industrial pollution. Hebei province has completed ultra-low emission renovation in industries like steel, coking, plate glass and ceramics, and further promoted the reduction of emissions in coal-fired electricity plants. Over the past three years, the whole province has completed 1,058 projects in ultra-low emission renovation and deep emission reduction, reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide by around 50% and 43%, respectively. 

Fourth, we have tackled pollution from motor vehicles. We have actively promoted transportation restructuring, and formulated regulations along with Beijing and Tianjin to prevent and contain pollution from motor vehicles and non-road mobile machinery. We have adopted the China VI vehicle emission standards, and encouraged more transportation to shift from roads to railways, and sea-rail multimodal transport. We have installed exhaust filtration devices on heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Coal transportation in Qinhuangdao Port, Tangshan Port and Huanghua Port has basically realized container gate-in by rail and water transportation. In addition, we have greatly increased the proportion of rail transportation for container gate-in and gate-out, and promoted new energy vehicles. Since 2019, almost all new and replacement buses were new energy vehicles. 

Fifth, we have scaled up comprehensive control of wind-borne dust pollution. We have created regulations to control wind-borne dust, promoting its comprehensive control on construction sites, city roads, and stock areas of enterprises. We have intensified efforts to plant trees, with 39.54 million mu of land afforested across the province, and forest coverage increasing to 35% from 31% during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Water Resources and other departments, we have advanced the management of riverways, further improving the ecological environment there. 

Next, we will adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding principle, and thoroughly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Progress and the important instructions made by General Secretary Xi Jinping on Hebei province. Following the arrangements and decisions of the CPC Central Committee, we will fully implement the new development philosophy in a complete and accurate manner, and practice the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." We will contain pollution and lower carbon emissions in a coordinated manner to speed up guiding social and economic development onto a "green and low carbon" track, so that people can enjoy more good weather with blue skies and white clouds. That's all. Thank you. 

Guangming Daily:

More than 70 years ago, the CPC Central Committee left Xibaipo in Pingshan county, Hebei province for Beijing for "a big exam in the capital city." With its profound revolutionary history and rich revolutionary resources, how is Hebei fully utilizing its advantages to conduct studies on the Party's history? Thank you. 

Wang Dongfeng:

Thank you for your question. This question goes to Mr. Zhang. 

Zhang Zheng:

I am delighted to answer this question. As the starting place of the CPC Central Committee's move to Beijing, and the birthplace of the Xibaipo spirit, Hebei boasts rich revolutionary resources. Many revolutionary sites, including the Xibaipo revolutionary site, the former site of the 129th division headquarters of the Eighth Route Army, and the former site of the government of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Border Region, are all located in Hebei, which is also the home province of many revolutionary pioneers and heroes, such as Li Dazhao, an important founder of the Party, and the Five Warriors of Mount Langyashan. We have earnestly implemented the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on utilizing revolutionary resources in studying Party history. Mr. Wang has given clear instructions that we should conduct studies on the history of the Party under the theme of "doing well in the exam in the new era." Next, I will explain the situation from three aspects. 

First, we have made good use of red resources to study CPC history. Hebei is very rich in red resources. There are 21 national patriotic education demonstration bases located in the province, as well as 528 provincial, municipal, and county-level patriotic education bases. The number of Hebei's provincial patriotic education bases ranks among the highest across the country. To implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, we have launched high-quality "5+N" routes to turn red resources into spiritual products for Party history learning and education. The "5" routes cover sites of historical interest in Hebei and detail representative figures of profound influence from the founding of the CPC to the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression then to the Chinese People's War of Liberation. We also highlight events in the new era, such as General Secretary Xi Jinping calling for national efforts to battle poverty in Fuping county, and Hebei pooling provincial resources into three major projects, namely the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, the construction of the Xiongan New Area, and the preparatory work for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games. Based on the "5" basic routes, "N" represents another 80 routes for Party history learning which span the entire province. For each route, its theme of study, activities, location, road map and schedule are all determined. In line with the requirements of the central leading group for Party history learning and education campaign, we have launched the campaign across the province to allow people easy access to Party history education and encourage them to learn and think. As a result, the campaign attracted more than 20 million people during the May Day holidays alone.  

Second, we have told stories about red activities to make people better understand our theories. We have staged plays with old heroes telling stories about red activities. We invited 21 storytellers to give five touching lectures in this vivid form, including a friend of the well-known martyr Wang Erxiao, who is 84 years old this year and who still protects the young hero's grave; as well as descendants and relatives of revolutionary forefathers and martyrs such as Li Dazhao and Dong Cunrui. Activities have been carried out across the province, inviting old Party members, heroes, role models, Party secretaries, and soldiers to give lectures on the Party history. These have aroused strong feelings among CPC members and officials, and especially students.

Third, we have made our red resources and stories into spiritual products while carrying out publicity and education among the general public on the history of the CPC, the country, reform and opening up, and socialist development. To give full play to the role of red resources as a vivid means to convey fresh values, we have conducted activities targeting three groups. First, for CPC members and officials, we produced several special lessons on the Party's history. Second, for students, we conducted an activity creating and singing songs themed on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC to carry out publicity and education on the history of the CPC, the country, reform and opening up, and socialist development. So far, more than 110 universities have participated in the activity, which will soon travel to all universities in the province. By doing so, students will integrate the Party history learning and education with songs, which will trigger new inspirations and a fresh understanding of the Party's theory. Third, for the general public, we created and put forward a batch of artistic works themed on the Party's history. For example, we produced a film about the creation of the well-known song "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China," which was written in Hebei by local composer Cao Huoxing. We also produced a film called "Revolutionary" to tell the story of Li Dazhao during his pursuit of the right revolutionary path, and a popular TV series "The Awaking Age" to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. We recommend you to go see the upcoming film "Revolutionary" at cinemas in order to witness our forefather in pursuit of great revolutionary spirit. What's more, we released a song and dance drama to commemorate the creation of the well-known song "Unity Is Strength," which was written in Hebei 78 years ago and has been sung across the province ever since. By watching films and performances and by singing these songs, CPC members, officials, and the public will better understand and pass on the traditions of revolution. 

Next, Hebei will make further use of its red resources, better tell stories about red activities, advocate the great revolutionary spirit, and promote the CPC history learning and education campaign further in communities and among the general public, so as to let the campaign become ingrained in people's minds. Thank you.

Beijing Youth Daily:

During his first inspection trip to rural areas after the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Fuping county in Hebei province, an old revolutionary base located in an impoverished mountainous area. There, he called for efforts from the whole Party and country to battle poverty. Now that the entirety of China, including Hebei province, has achieved the goals of the poverty elimination campaign, how will Hebei consolidate the results of poverty elimination and fully revitalize the countryside? Thank you.

Wang Dongfeng:

Thank you. I will answer this question.

After the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping left Beijing to pay a visit to Fuping county in Baoding city of Hebei province from Dec. 29 to 30, 2012. Fuping was the old revolutionary base area where General Nie Rongzhen waged guerrilla warfare decades ago. Although rich in red resources, the county featured huge mountains and deep ravines and residents suffered poor living and working conditions. General Secretary Xi Jinping braved the winter cold to visit this remote mountainous area, conducted an inspection tour to villages and rural households to identify the truly poor, and mobilized the whole Party and the whole country to win the battle against poverty in the new era. The CPC Hebei Provincial Committee, the provincial government, and the entire province have conscientiously implemented the important instructions laid out by General Secretary Xi Jinping and the policy decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee. Party secretaries at the five administrative levels of province, city, county, township, and village have worked together towards the same goal of poverty alleviation, with a special focus on poverty alleviation through spurring industrial growth, boosting employment, providing science and technology support, and relocation. Policies and measures have been fully implemented to realize the Two Assurances and Three Guarantees [referring to assurances of adequate food and clothing, and guarantees of access to compulsory education, basic medical services, and safe housing for impoverished rural residents]. By doing so, we have secured a sweeping victory in the final battle against poverty. Hebei has received good reviews for three consecutive years both in national poverty alleviation evaluations and in the assessment of the effectiveness of the collaboration on poverty alleviation between the eastern and western regions. The province has taken concrete actions to uphold the anti-poverty theory with Chinese characteristics put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping and contributed to the outstanding achievement of China's poverty alleviation.

The General Secretary pointed out that being lifted out the poverty is not an end in itself but the starting point of a new life and a new pursuit. We will stick to aligning our thoughts and actions with the General Secretary's important instructions and the CPC Central Committee's decisions and deployments, making solid efforts to dovetail the consolidation and extension of poverty alleviation achievements with comprehensive rural vitalization. A series of effective measures have been taken in this regard, and new progress has been made.

First, we will stay committed to consolidating the poverty alleviation achievements and preventing people from sinking back into poverty in large numbers. We are making efforts to take due responsibility for counties lifted out of poverty, meanwhile ensuring consistent poverty alleviation policies, assistance, and supervision. We are also working to ensure the consistency and stability of major supportive policies, and strengthening poverty reduction efforts on the industrial, employment, and sci-tech sides. Follow-up support will be provided to people relocated from inhospitable areas, in a bid to promote the sustainable development of formerly impoverished areas and increase people's income. Monitoring work has also been conducted to prevent poverty. A comprehensive monitoring network has been established. Among some 97,000 monitored subjects who have shaken off poverty, not a single household has sunk back into poverty again. In the meantime, a social assistance fund has been established across the province to help the impoverished population, those with ill family members, widows, widowers, orphans, and older people without children. A total of 240 million yuan of insurance assistance has been provided to some 34,000 households. 

Second, we are staying committed to promoting comprehensive rural vitalization and speeding up agriculture modernization. We have focused on 12 leading industries and 107 specialty industries in our province, and developed unique industries and products for each township and village. We addressed the industrial development and employment issues so that those lifted out of poverty are less likely to sink back into it again. We also launched a campaign featuring paired assistance between enterprises and villages, encouraging 13,000 private enterprises to support the development of over 10,000 villages, 7,746 of which were stricken by poverty. By doing so, we have established a normalized and long-term mechanism featuring joint contribution, shared benefits, and win-win cooperation. These enterprises don't simply offer direct financial support. More importantly, they help update local people's mindsets, offer intellectual support, boost employment, and utilize the area's land, tourism, and labor resources. A long-term and stable partnership has thus been established, and villagers' income is largely increased. In the first quarter of this year, the per capita disposable income of farmers in our province increased by 16.6%, the increment of which continues to be higher than that of urban residents. 

Third, we are staying committed to pursuing balanced development across rural and urban areas, continuously improving living and working conditions in rural regions. We concentrate our efforts on rural development and coordinate the work on improving the scale and quality of county seats. The CPC Hebei Provincial Committee and provincial government have conducted research and unveiled a plan to build 300 towns with distinctive features. In addition, over 1,000 projects on building "a beautiful countryside" are currently undergoing construction. In the meantime, measures have been taken to address the issue of "hollow villages" mainly existing in the Bashang area of Zhangjiakou city. The so-called "hollow villages" refer to villages with no labor force as all rural migrant workers have left home with their children, leaving only elderly villagers behind. These elderly people are not poor, and these villages are not categorized as impoverished, because these villagers are offered minimum living allowance for being incapable of working. Still, the living environment in the alpine Bashang area is quite harsh as the temperature can drop below minus 20 or 30 degrees Celsius in winter. It is actually more costly to relocate these elderly people to other regions than build infrastructure facilities concerning water, electricity, gas, and telecommunications in their original living environment. Therefore, we respected people's wishes and relocated them to the nearby regions of major counties. The majority of them have moved into apartment buildings as the government completed land acquisition. The relocated villagers have complete property rights to their apartments. If these elderly people want to live with their children in other cities, they can sell the apartment or just receive money compensations for relocation and then leave here. This not only helps foster family reunions, but also offers benefits to the general public. Thus, this policy has been widely welcomed by rural residents. All 1,073 "hollow villages" with a vacancy rate of over 50% completed relocation last year. There are still almost 1,000 "hollow villages" with vacancy rates ranging from 30% to 50%, and these will finish relocation this year. For "hollow villages" with a vacancy rate of less than 30%, we will respect villagers' wishes and comprehensively improve the rural infrastructure based on the standards of new countryside. Regarding the balanced development of rural and urban areas, we are working to improve infrastructure for rural residents and rural areas, including facilities concerning water, gas, electricity, roads, telecommunications, and waste treatment. There are 121 counties in our province. Plant that can safely incinerate waste and convert it to electricity is now available for every county or shared by two counties. This helps prevent underground water contamination and clean the air, providing important environmental support to build a new and beautiful countryside.

Fourth, we are staying committed to strengthening basic services in rural communities. We are working to comprehensively strengthen the Party's work at the community level, ensure that the Party's foundational work is carried out to proper effect, and improve the Party's basic working skills. Taking the opportunity of the election of new officials at the county and township levels and also at the village branch committees of the CPC and the villagers' committees, we have selected and appointed a group of fine young officials who are politically reliable and professional. A group of college graduates, veterans, and those who worked their way out of poverty have been appointed to serve as the Party secretaries in villages and become members of the village branch committees of the CPC and the villagers' committees. Around 49,700 out of nearly 50,000 villages in Hebei have elected new officials for the village branch committees of the CPC and the villagers' committees. The officials' age, education background, and other qualities have seen historic changes. Almost 99% of the village-level Party secretaries in Hebei also serve as the heads of the villagers' committees, so that the primary level Party committees are more cohesive and stronger. In addition, we have launched an annual campaign to promote Party building at the community level. We have allocated all sorts of resources to the community level and addressed their prominent issues. Party members' exemplary role has been given full play, and the Party's leadership is further strengthened to promote reform, development and stability in rural area. Tangible progress has been achieved in this regard. Thank you.

Hong Kong Economic Herald:

My question is about people's livelihood. For four consecutive years, Hebei has implemented 20 projects concerning people's livelihood, including the renovation of old residential communities, the reconstruction of urban villages, and the upgrading of city pipeline networks. The improvement efforts continue this year. What is the current progress of these projects? What are the focuses and features of this year's work in this regard? Thank you.

Wang Dongfeng:

Thank you. Mr. Xu will take your question.

Xu Qin:

Thank you. The centenary journey of the CPC is a history of its fight for a better life for the people. As General Secretary Xi Jinping put it, satisfying the people's desire for a better life will always be the country's goal. The CPC Hebei Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Hebei Province have resolutely implemented the General Secretary's important instructions, always taken a people-centered development approach, and kept carrying out projects that improve people's livelihood, so as to give people a stronger sense of gain, happiness, and security. From 2018 to 2020, Hebei has rebuilt 807,000 housing units in run-down urban areas, renovated 6,311 old residential communities, and launched projects to renovate 882 urban villages. We also renovated 6,863.2 kilometers of outdated city pipeline networks and built, renovated, and extended 2.06 million square meters of school buildings, 785 kindergartens, and 23,000 kilometers of rural roads. All of these have effectively improved people's living and working conditions.

In accordance with the deployment made by the CPC Central Committee, we have launched an activity themed "delivering practical services to the people" amid this year's Party history learning events. All levels of government in Hebei have launched a new round of projects concerning people's livelihood. Through four years of implementing such projects, we believe that the consistency of our work is of crucial importance to continuously improving people's working and living environment and addressing the most urgent issues that people care about most.

Just now you asked about the features of this year's projects that help improve people's livelihood. First, we strive to improve the living environment in both urban and rural areas. We are working to renovate housing units in both areas, strengthening sewage water and waste treatment. A total of 110,000 housing units in run-down urban areas will start renovation within this year, and 132,000 such housing units will complete renovation. We will also renovate 3,057 old residential communities and launch more projects to renovate urban villages. We will build domestic sewage treatment facilities covering 10,000 villages, renovating more than 1 million restrooms in rural households and improving their sanitation conditions. We will also work to carry out the safe treatment of waste across cities and counties in Hebei and further use it for power generation.

Second, we will boost our efforts to improve infrastructure in urban and rural areas, addressing issues such as car parking, transportation, upgrading of plumbing and wiring, drinking water and "hollow villages," which are also the wishes of the public. This year, over 200,000 new public parking spaces will be created, around 288 km of old pipes will be upgraded and 7,500 km of rural roads will be reconstructed. Meanwhile, we will accelerate construction of public water supply facilities in the intake areas of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, upgrade the abstraction of underground water, realize the full coverage of river water replacement in urban areas, complete river water replacement for 8.18 million residents in rural areas, and address the problem of "hollow villages," which have 30%-50% rural housing vacancy rates.  

Third, we will focus on raising the level of public services. We will set the target for this year in particular to meet the new demands from the public in the fields of education, healthcare, culture and sports. Our plan for projects to improve people's lives includes: further establishing community-level healthcare institutions and improving construction of the service network; and further increasing the number of negative pressure ambulances in township clinics, and as well as the mobile nucleic acid test vehicles in all the county-level areas. At the same time, we have launched a series of projects to enhance the education skills at kindergartens and public-interest pre-school education institutions, and to standardize, regulate and facilitate basic government services. More than 10,000 sports and fitness facilities will be constructed in communities and villages.

Fourth, we will improve social security. Arrangements have been made in employment, elderly care and assisting disadvantaged people, particularly in ensuring key groups such as university graduates can find jobs. Our target is that 860,000 new urban jobs will be created this year. We will conduct a variety of vocational training courses and launch a model for work-study integration so as to achieve our aim of helping 98% of graduates from technical colleges get jobs. Meanwhile, we will establish a multi-level social security system by adding about 15,000 beds in nursing homes and providing rehabilitation services for around 100,000 people with disabilities.

As of the end of May, these projects related to people's lives have progressed smoothly. Some are already more than half finished, while others are even 70%-80% complete. That's all from me. Thank you.

The Paper:

How is Zhangjiakou's preparation work progressing for the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympic Games, which will be jointly held by the city and Beijing?

Wang Dongfeng:

Thank you. Mr. Xu will respond to your question.

Xu Qin:

Thank you for your interest in the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The games will be a landmark event held at a critical historic juncture. General Secretary Xi Jinping has inspected the venues in both cities and made a series of important instructions, providing the direction and basic guidelines for the preparation work there. The CPC Hebei Provincial Committee and the People's Government of Hebei Province have adhered to General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions and taken the preparation work as our top priority. Bearing in mind the promise of hosting a green, inclusive, open and clean Games, we have rallied the support of the entire province and advanced the preparation work under the leadership of the Leading Group for the 24th Winter Olympic Games and the coordination of the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee, making efforts to ensure that the Games is hosted in a simple, safe, and wonderful manner. I will briefly introduce the preparation progress:

First, the venues and supporting infrastructure are ready. We are committed to creating high-quality projects based on our dedicated design and construction. In total, 76 Olympic projects in Zhangjiakou have been fully completed and hosted test competitions of snow events. You may have noted that the creative concept behind the main body of the National Ski Jumping Center comes from the traditional Chinese decorative ornament called "ruyi," and is a stylish international-standard ski jumping center. 

Second, Zhangjiakou has successfully held a series of test competitions. In February, arranged by the Beijing Winter Olympics Organizing Committee, Zhangjiakou carried out 15 test events including the National Cross-Country Skiing Invitational Tournament and the National Freestyle Skiing Aerials Invitational Tournament, drawing around 11,000 participants across 59 contests. We targeted 28 areas for testing, carried out checks on venue facilities and various operation plans, and improved our work pattern that is marked by multilateral cooperation and high efficiency.

Third, a system has been formed to guarantee the provision of services for the Games. We have adhered to the principle of "three venues and one standard," and done our best to ensure COVID-19 prevention and control response and emergency rehearsals, and made sure athletes and guests will have a considerate and warm experience in terms of their transportation, accommodation, food, drink, medical care and volunteer services. In terms of transportation, the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed rail line has been put into operation, shortening the commute to under one hour and demonstrating the effect of city integration. Meanwhile, 28 hotels have signed contracts to guarantee the accommodation during the Games. We have also set strict standards to ensure food safety by carefully selecting food supply bases as well as regulating purchasing channels, storage and transportation types. In terms of medical care, we have designated 19 medical institutions and organized more than 800 health workers to provide professional services. Peking University Third Hospital has taken over the People's Hospital of Chongli District and built a regional medical center to provide strong sports medical support for the Winter Olympics. In terms of volunteers, we have recruited more than 14,000 "city volunteers" and nearly 5,000 volunteers for the competition.

Fourth, we are creating a strong atmosphere for the Winter Olympics. Focusing on carrying forward the spirit of the Winter Olympics and Chinese culture and showing the unique charm of winter sports, we have launched various publicity activities including special columns on various media on the Winter Olympics to create a positive atmosphere.

Fifth, the development of winter sports and related industries has been accelerated. Organizing the Winter Olympics spurs on the participation of the general public, while the public's participation also enhances the level of competitiveness, contributing to the building of a strong sports country. Hebei province has sent athletes to the national teams and held the provincial winter games for two consecutive years. We are working hard to achieve the goal of encouraging 30 million people to participate in winter sports as soon as possible. At the same time, Zhangjiakou has been approved as the national ice and snow equipment industry base, signing 86 related industry projects, including skiing equipment, wearable devices, training equipment and snow-making machines to promote the industry's development. In accordance with the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, we will accelerate developing Zhangjiakou into a zone for water source conservation and ecosystem and environment support for the capital, develop wind energy, photovoltaic technology, hydrogen energy, big data and other industries, build a Beijing-Zhangjiakou sports-culture tourism belt, and strive to deliver two "excellent answers" in terms of the preparation work for the Winter Olympics and local development.

Dear friends, winter sports are sports of verve and vitality and are becoming more and more popular in China. We extend a warm welcome to everyone who wants to visit Zhangjiakou in Hebei province, and feel the charm of the ice and the snow and to chase their Olympic dreams. In Zhangjiakou, you can ski and enjoy the snow scenery in winter and appreciate the beauty of forests and grasslands in summer. We sincerely invite guests from home and abroad to Zhangjiakou. Thank you all.

Chen Wenjun:

Because time is limited, let's answer the last question.

Phoenix TV:

I want to ask about the situation in Xiongan New Area. We know that the construction of Xiongan New Area is a great national event and a strategy that will have lasting importance for the millennium to come. It has been more than four years since its official establishment on April 1, 2017. What is the current situation of the Xiongan New Area? What are the highlights of its development so far? Thank you.

Wang Dongfeng:

Thank you for your question. I will answer this question. The establishment of the Xiongan New Area is a major historic strategic choice made by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. General Secretary Xi Jinping personally planned, deployed, promoted, and devoted a lot of effort to the construction of the area. For more than four years, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and with the strong support of the leading group for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region's coordinated development and its offices, central departments, various ministries, as well as Beijing, Tianjin, and other provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, we have mobilized resources from the entire province to promote the planning and construction of the Xiongan New Area. The picture of the future city is gradually unfolding and new progress has been made in the high-quality development of Xiongan and the building of an innovative development demonstration zone that can translate the new development philosophy into action. A high-standard and high-quality "1+4+26" master plan for the Xiongan New Area was created to take over Beijing's non-essential functions in a steady and orderly manner. Our efforts have paid off. A total of 3,756 Beijing companies have registered for business in the Xiongan New Area, and construction of the initial area, start-up area, and the Rongdong area has advanced steadily. With a total investment of over 230 billion yuan, a total of 125 key projects are currently under construction. Historic new changes have taken place in the management of Baiyangdian Basin's ecological environment and water quality. The forest coverage rate of the area has increased from 11% before its establishment to 30.5% currently. The Xiongan high-speed railway station was completed and put into operation at the end of last year. The four expressways and three national and provincial highways on the periphery of the area began providing service in May, spanning 545 kilometers in length. Regional transportation hubs for railways and expressways have been initially formed. The sense of gain, happiness, and security of the enterprises and people has been continuously improved in the planning and construction of the Xiongan New Area. As a millennium strategy and a great national event, the Xiongan New Area has received nationwide care, support, and the world's attention. Here are the highlights of the construction of the Xiongan New Area:

First, by using a global perspective, international standards, Chinese characteristics, and panoramic and scientific mapping, we have made and filed for the approval of various plans. The "1+4+26" plan system for the Xiongan New Area was devised by pooling wisdom of China's planning experts of all fields, as well as international planning experts. We solicited ideas for the master plan, even the regulatory plan of the start-up area, from across the world. At the same time, in preparing the plan for the new area, we not only drew up the master plan and the regulatory plan but also the landscape design of the city, its areas, and individual buildings. This is an innovation in plan formulation that ensures accuracy, effectiveness, and unwavering execution.

Second, we have strictly followed the construction plan of the Xiongan New Area to build an innovative development demonstration zone that implements the new development philosophy. We have implemented the important instructions and requirements of the General Secretary on "creating a Xiongan quality standard and making it a national model in promoting high-quality development." The entire system complies with international standards. We have monitored soil liquefaction and ensured that the geological structure of the area is stable and that it can withstand the power of earthquakes, floods, and waterlogging. The area's ecological environment fortification levels are at their highest, with 200-year flood prevention and 100-year waterlogging prevention. Additionally, we have promoted the building of a national ecological civilization pilot zone and will build a "coal-free zone" in the Xiongan New Area this year. We have also tried to avoid using fossil fuels in the area's development. For example, the large trucks used for the construction sites are hydrogen-powered, marking one effort to get rid of fossil fuels. With promises of zero-pollution enterprises and no untreated sewage, Xiongan's high-quality development is reflected in the quality of its projects. A series of standards systems and strict construction methods are in place to ensure the "Xiongan quality", providing support for the millennium strategy. 

Third, we have focused on relieving Beijing of functions nonessential to its role as the capital and promoted several Beijing enterprises to settle in the Xiongan New Area. We have emphasized the promotion of both high-end and high-tech enterprises, focusing on taking over existing firms. We have followed market principles in the implementation of taking over the non-essential functions of Beijing. We have successively issued positive and negative lists for the access and development of enterprises and industries. A trip for the relocation of state-owned enterprises to the Xiongan New Area has been successfully organized, aiming to take over Beijing's non-essential functions in a steady and orderly manner. So far, China Satellite Networks Group Co., Ltd. and China Sinochem Holdings Co., Ltd. have registered and settled in Xiongan. The central government has made it clear that a batch of Beijing universities, hospitals, headquarters of central state-owned enterprises, financial institutions, scientific research institutes, and public institutions will gradually settle in Xiongan. These span the high-tech and high-end industries and six major areas earmarked for relocation as determined by the central government. Hebei has provided support for the relevant work.

Fourth, we have coordinated for both ecological protection and pollution control in Baiyangdian to build a green and ecologically livable new city. We have addressed pollution concerns and protected the area as per the law and specific guidelines issued by the provincial Party committee and the government. The provincial people's congress issued regulations on the ecological management and protection of Baiyangdian. We have promoted the implementation of 243 treatment projects in water replenishment, dredging, pollution control, flood control, and drainage. The total water replenishment reached 1.58 billion cubic meters and the water level remained above seven meters. The water quality of Baiyangdian Basin has been improved from Grade V in 2017 to Grade IV in 2020, with some parts of the water reaching Grade III, recovering its function as the "Kidney for North China" at a faster pace. Forestation has achieved remarkable results, with an 18-square-kilometer Xiongan Countryside Park soon to open to the public. An eco-city with blue skies and clear waters is taking shape.

Fifth, we have vigorously carried forward the spirit of reform and innovation in the new era and actively built new pacesetters of innovation in systems and mechanisms. We have earnestly implemented the Guidelines on Supporting the Comprehensive Deepening of Reform and Opening up of Hebei Xiongan New Area issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. The provincial Party committee and the government, together with relevant central government departments and ministries, have successively introduced more than 20 innovative policies in land supply, investment and financing, housing security, technological innovation, social governance, education, medical care, and health. We have deepened the reform to streamline administration and delegate powers and ensured that the affairs of Xiongan are finished within the area. We have gradually delegated provincial-level economic management powers to Xiongan. The power of 343 administrative approvals at the provincial level has been delegated to Xiongan. With the support of the central departments and ministries, Xiongan New Area is taking the lead in reforming investment and project approvals, implementing the "one meeting and three construction letters." Investment projects now take 15 days to approve compared to the more than 60 days previously, giving rise to a set of efficient practices applicable to other areas. The Xiongan New Area is a millennium strategy and a great national event. The task is daunting and the responsibility is huge. We will always adhere to the political position, firmly establish a historical outlook, earnestly fulfill our main responsibilities, and solidly promote the high-quality development of the Xiongan New Area to make new contributions to the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist country.

Finally, on behalf of the CPC Hebei provincial committee, the provincial government, and the people of Hebei, Xu Qin, Zhang Zheng, and I, are very grateful to the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee for providing us with this rare platform and opportunity. We also thank our friends from the media for their lasting support, help, and coverage of Hebei. All media friends are welcome to visit Hebei for interviews and for travel. The hospitable people of Hebei welcome everyone to visit this beautiful land! Thank you, friends from the media!

Chen Wenjun:

Thank you, Mr. Wang, Mr. Xu, and Mr. Zhang, and thank you friends from the media. Today's press conference is hereby concluded. Goodbye!

Translated and edited by Zhang Liying, Wang Wei, Liu Sitong, Wang Qian, Lin Liyao, Huang Shan, Qin Qi, Li Huiru, Liu Jianing, Zhang Junmian, Li Xiao, Zhou Jing, Zhu Bochen, Chen Xia, Zhang Tingting, Wang Yiming, Liu Qiang, David Ball, Jay Birbeck, and Tom Arnstein. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.