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Xi urges efforts to build Xiong'an New Area into innovation hub, model of high-quality development

China

China

China

Xi urges efforts to build Xiong'an New Area into innovation hub, model of high-quality development

2026-03-23 22:51 Last Updated At:03-24 13:07

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday called for efforts to build the Xiong'an New Area in north China's Hebei Province into an innovation hub in the new era and a model of promoting high-quality development.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the Xiong'an New Area on Monday, where he also chaired a symposium on further advancing the high-quality construction and development of the new area.

He emphasized the need to firmly uphold Xiong'an New Area's primary functional positioning as the major recipient of functions relieved from Beijing that are non-essential to its role as China's capital.

The new area should strengthen endogenous development momentum through reform and innovation, and unlock vitality via reasonable concentration of production factors and resources, Xi said.

On Monday morning, Xi arrived in Xiong'an and traveled by vehicle to inspect construction progress in the start-up zone. He then visited China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd., which moved over 1,000 employees to Xiong'an in October 2025, and heard briefings on the company's relocation, industrial layout and innovative development.

At the company, he had a cordial exchange with representatives of officials and staff from relocated organizations already operating in the new area and those currently under construction, to learn about their life and work.

Xi also visited the Xiong'an campus of Beijing No. 4 High School, where he conversed with teachers and students in the classroom to learn about the teaching situation there. In the school canteen, he examined the dining environment and the variety of dishes available.

On Monday afternoon, Xi chaired the symposium and delivered an important speech. He acknowledged that important progress has been achieved in the construction and development of the Xiong'an New Area.

It has been fully proved that the CPC Central Committee's decision to develop the new area is entirely correct, and all related work has been solid and effective, he added.

Xi stressed efforts to relieve Beijing of functions non-essential to its role as the national capital and integrate them into the new area in a more vigorous and orderly manner, and advance the construction of relocation projects for state-owned enterprises directly administered by the central government, universities and hospitals in an active, steady and phased manner.

Xi stressed systematic planning and the integrated advancement of high-quality development and efficient governance, urging efforts to improve the public service system, safeguard and enhance people's well-being, and actively explore future-oriented smart city management models.

Xiong'an must develop a modern industrial system suited to its realities, Xi said, noting that it should advance the high-standard development of a science park to accelerate the application of scientific and technological achievements.

The new area should cultivate clusters of emerging industries and industries of the future, pioneer the implementation of innovative policies in science and technology, finance and other fields, and create a market-oriented and law-based business environment that is up to international standards, he added.

Xi further urged the new area to strengthen Party leadership and Party building while firmly establishing and practicing a correct understanding of governance performance.

Xi was accompanied by Premier Li Qiang, Cai Qi, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, who are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi urges efforts to build Xiong'an New Area into innovation hub, model of high-quality development

Xi urges efforts to build Xiong'an New Area into innovation hub, model of high-quality development

Xi urges efforts to build Xiong'an New Area into innovation hub, model of high-quality development

Xi urges efforts to build Xiong'an New Area into innovation hub, model of high-quality development

China's domestic consumption is picking up as government-backed incentives, such as consumer goods trade-in programs, boost real household spending and broader market momentum.

A total of 250 billion yuan (around 36.30 billion U.S. dollars) in ultra-long-term special treasury bonds has been allocated this year to support trade-in programs for consumer goods, said Finance Minister Lan Fo'an at the China Development Forum 2026 annual conference on Saturday.

He also noted that 100 billion yuan in new fiscal-financial funds will be set up to boost domestic demand.

Consumer goods trade-in programs so far this year have generated 47.623 million sales transactions, up 15.3 percent year on year, making total sales reach 323.26 billion yuan (about 46.94 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 3.2 percent from a year ago.

"My child had long wanted a new laptop, but the price was high. With the launch of the national subsidy program and stronger support, I could save more than 1,000 yuan on a laptop purchase. The subsidy amount is quite generous, and we decided to buy him a new laptop," said Tong Li, a Chongqing resident.

More immersive and experience-based consumption scenarios are also emerging, while movies and concerts are extending consumption chains.

"I came to Ningbo for a concert. Since spring has arrived, I planned to take a look around Ningbo and enjoy the scenery. Ningbo is a very nice city," said a tourist.

"The concerts brought in a large number of tourists from other places. While enjoying the on-site atmosphere, they also came to try Shenzhen's delicious food. The number of visitors increased significantly in the evening," said a catering worker in southern Chinese City of Shenzhen.

This year, China introduced 12 measures targeting areas such as transportation, household services, long-stay travel and sporting events to upgrade and expand service consumption. In the first two months of the year, China's service retail sales rose 5.6 percent year on year, outpacing the growth of goods retail sales.

Policy support fuels domestic consumption growth in China

Policy support fuels domestic consumption growth in China

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