Observers praise China's Xiong'an New Area for its innovation and smart technology

International observers have praised Xiong'an New Area in north China's Hebei Province as a hub for innovation and smart technologies, as the youngest national-level new area marked its ninth anniversary on April 1.

China announced plans to establish Xiong'an New Area on April 1, 2017 to relieve Beijing of functions non-essential to its role as the national capital and advance the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Nine years on, eight headquarters of central state-owned enterprises have been relocated to the new area, 106 km southwest of Beijing, fostering a cluster of industries such as aerospace, information and satellite internet. Cumulative investments have surpassed 1 trillion yuan (about 139 billion U.S. dollars), with more than 5,300 buildings completed.

Xiong'an New Area's development has drawn international attention.

"Xiong'an for me is the laboratory where China tests green, low-carbon, and smart solutions at scale. We really, really want to cooperate with Xiong'an," said Pierre Mirochnikoff, vice president of Benelux Chamber of Commerce.

Michaela Gradener, head of research and development at EcoPlanet Green Operations GmbH, shared her first impression as a newcomer to Xiong'an.

"This is my first time in Xiong'an, and I must say, when I look at the city, I see that it was planned looking at the future. So the city for me signifies…what does it mean to really think ahead, not just in the next two years, but really in the mid to long term," said Michaela Gradener.

"The Xiong'an district is an example of the modern face of China that is bringing smart technology, that is bringing smart neighborhood as well, and this is one of the things that we look at with optimism that it will bring more successful stories to the rest of the world," said Hussam Al Husseini, Jordan's Ambassador to China.

Observers praise China's Xiong'an New Area for its innovation and smart technology

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said on Tuesday that Israel's death penalty legislation targeting Palestinians violates international law.

In a statement, Turk said it is "deeply disappointing" that this bill has been approved by the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.

"It is patently inconsistent with Israel's international law obligations, including in relation to the right to life. It raises serious concerns about due process violations, is deeply discriminatory, and must be promptly repealed," the statement said.

Israel's parliament on Monday approved a bill making the death penalty a punishment by default for Palestinians in the West Bank convicted of "terrorism," a move that has drawn international criticism.

Proposed by Israel's far-right coalition government, the new law mandates the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis with the intent to harm the state. It does not apply to Israelis who kill Palestinians.

Under the law, courts can impose the death penalty even if prosecutors do not request it, and a unanimous judicial decision is not required.

Israel's death penalty law targeting Palestinians violates international law: UN human rights chief