Vice premier urges efforts to build Xiongan into model for development

BEIJING - Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on Sunday urged more efforts to build the Xiongan New Area into a model for promoting high-quality development across the country.

Zhang made the remarks at a meeting in Beijing on advancing the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

New measures should be formulated as soon as possible to promote Xiongan's reform and opening-up, Zhang said at the meeting.

A number of fundamental projects shall be launched in a timely manner in order to lay a good foundation for the construction of the new area, he said.

"Every inch of land in the new area shall be clearly planned before starting construction," said Zhang.

The pivotal goal is phasing out non-capital functions from Beijing, he said, authorities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region must step up coordination.

Xiongan needs outstanding talent, both domestic and foreign, the vice-premier said.

China should formulate an investment and financing plan for the Xiongan New Area and continue with property, industry and population management, according to Zhang.

On Thursday, senior leaders of the Communist Party of China agreed that building the new area is a "historic project" after hearing a report on the progress of developing a general plan for Xiongan.

The area, established in April 2017, is a new economic zone about 100 kilometers Southwest of Beijing in Hebei province. It is the third new area of national significance after the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and the Shanghai Pudong New Area.