Beijing sub-center to gain momentum

Beijing’s sub-city center, aimed at relieving Beijing of functions non-essential to its role as China’s capital, will get more support in pursuing high-quality development, according to a circular released by the State Council on Nov 26.

The sub-center, along with Xiongan New Area in North China’s Hebei province, should undertake the non-capital functions and welcome new residents in an orderly manner to help address the "big city malaise" for the capital, the circular said.

Development goals are to make the sub-center live up to designations of a green city, sponge city and smart city, among others, by 2025, and basically build a modern urban sub-center by 2035.

The sub-center should enhance scientific and technological innovation, launching major national projects and boosting the digital economy, as well as functions for administrative affairs, financial and business services, culture, sports and tourism.

By bringing designated municipal organs and institutions into the sub-center, capital functions will be restructured and guaranteed, the circular said.

The circular urged building an integrated high-quality development demonstration zone, comprising Tongzhou district in Beijing and Hebei’s Sanhe city, Dachang Hui autonomous county, and Xianghe county.

It also stressed efforts in transport network, public services such as education, and environmental governance for green development in the sub-center.

The sub-center should expand opening-up in the service sector while developing new consumer industries and business patterns, it said.

The circular also called for attracting urgently needed high-level professionals, increasing fiscal and financial support, and reforming land management and use to inject vitality into the area’s development.