Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an inspection tour in North China's Hebei province in recent days and presided over a meeting on promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. He delivered an important speech at the meeting. He stressed that efforts should be made to boost confidence and maintain resolve, to improve the capabilities of seizing opportunities, meeting challenges, addressing crises, nurturing decisive opportunities, and to coordinate development and security. He emphasized that work should be done to promote work in all fields with enthusiasm and diligence, so as to push the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to a higher level and to make the region a pioneer and example in pursuing Chinese modernization.

 

Premier Li Qiang, Cai Qi, who is director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang were present at the meeting. Cai was also on the inspection tour. The three are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

 

On May 11 and 12, accompanied by Ni Yuefeng, secretary of Hebei Provincial Committee of the CPC, and Wang Zhengpu, governor of Hebei, Xi went to the cities of Cangzhou and Shijiazhuang, where he visited the countryside and places including a port and a research institute, to learn about the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

 

On May 11, Xi arrived in Cangzhou. In a plot of saline-alkali wheat land in Xianzhuang area of Jiucheng Town, Huanghua City, he learned about how saline-alkali land has been harnessed, how wheat is planted in saline-alkali land and how the agriculture here has been industrialized. He walked into the wheat field, examined how the wheat was growing, and asked the farmers and agricultural technicians working in the field about the output, prices, quality, and earnings of saline-alkali wheat. Xi said, it is a strategic issue to comprehensively utilize saline-alkali land, and great importance should be attached to it. It is important to base our work on the reality that China has a large amount of saline-alkali land, which has great development potential, Xi noted. It is imperative to make greater efforts to harness saline-alkali land through innovation in science and technology, to promote the development and planting of crops suitable for saline-alkali environment, to effectively expand the planting areas of the crops, and to develop processing industry in this regard, so as to do a great job in developing the distinctive agriculture of saline-alkali land.

 

On the afternoon of May 11, Xi arrived at the coal dock of Huanghua Port and learned about the integrated development of ports in Hebei as well as production, operation and future planning of this port. Xi stressed that Hebei, with a uniquely advantaged location and good conditions for marine transport, should continuously promote the upgrading of its ports, integrate resources, and optimize their functional layout with a view to proactively dovetailing with the major national strategic needs for coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, high-standard and high-quality construction of Xiong'an New Area, and cooperation projects of the Belt and Road Initiative. In this way, the province will be able to play a greater role in promoting coordinated regional economic development and in the building of a modern industrial system, Xi noted. As a hub port to transport coal from west China to east China and from north China to south China, Huanghua Port should improve its capacity, innovate management systems and mechanisms to develop itself into a multifunctional, comprehensive and modern port, Xi said.

 

On the morning of May 12, Xi visited the research institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation in Shijiazhuang City. He learned about the development of the enterprise, its research and development of products, and improvement of military-civilian integration and independent production. He entered a workshop to observe the chip production process. Xi pointed out that developing China into a power of science and technology serves as the strategic pivot for building it into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts. National strategic needs must be targeted as priority to systematically arrange key innovative resources, give full play to strengths brought about by the full integration of enterprises, colleges and research institutes so that new breakthroughs will be continuously made in core technologies in key fields. Xi encouraged technological researchers to achieve continuous progress in making breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, and develop more technological and engineering equipment and projects of great significance independently.

 

Later, Xi visited the planning exhibition hall of the International Biomedical Industry Park in Shijiazhuang, and was briefed on the development of biomedical industries in Shijiazhuang, watched exhibited medicines, and learned about research and development of medicines. Xi emphasized that biomedical industry is an emerging strategic one of great importance to the national economy and people's wellbeing as well as national security. It is essential to strengthen basic research and scientific innovation capacity to keep the lifeline of the biomedical industry firmly in China's own hands. The principle of putting the people and their lives first must be upheld to develop and produce more "Chinese medicines" that are compatible with the genetic and constitutional features of the Chinese people, and much emphasis should be placed on the innovation and development of traditional Chinese medicine.

 

On the afternoon of May 12, Xi chaired a meeting in Shijiazhuang City on further promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Ni Yuefeng, secretary of Hebei Provincial Committee of the CPC and Chen Min'er, secretary of Tianjin Municipal Committee of the CPC, made speeches. Yin Li, secretary of Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC submitted his written speech. They reported their work on pushing forward the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and offered suggestions and advice.

 

After listening to their speeches, Xi Jinping delivered an important address. He affirmed what Hebei has achieved in its economic and social development since the 19th CPC National Congress and expressed the hope that the province should thoroughly learn and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, put into practice the new development philosophy in a holistic, precise and comprehensive manner, remain committed to the primary task of high-quality development and the strategic task of fostering a new development paradigm, and blaze new paths in pursuing the strategy of innovation-driven development. He also expressed the hope that the province shall shoulder new responsibilities in promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and building Xiong'an New Area with high standards and high quality, score new breakthroughs in achieving all-round green transition, cultivate new strengths in deepening reform and opening up, take new initiatives in realizing common prosperity, accelerate the pace of building Hebei into a beautiful province with economic strengths and strive to write a brilliant chapter on the province's journey to Chinese modernization.

 

Xi stressed that since the 19th CPC National Congress, Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei have been performing their principal duties in compliance with the decisions and plans made by the CPC Central Committee, relevant central Party and government departments and units have offered strong support and played a very important role, and as a result, new and marked achievements have been made in the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, efforts to relieve Beijing of functions non-essential to its role as the national capital are paying off, significant phased achievements have been made in building Xiong'an New Area, the high-quality development of the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center has been stepped up, the rail network connecting Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei is quickly taking shape, major progress has been made in building the region into a beautiful and livable place, and technological innovation and industrial integration have been constantly improved. Facts have proved that the major regional development strategies such as the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region the CPC Central Committee has made are in line with the needs of our country in the new era to pursue high-quality development, and are an effective approach for promoting Chinese modernization.

 

Xi pointed out that active and steady efforts to relieve Beijing of functions non-essential to its role as the national capital must be prioritized as the pivot to control the increase of unnecessary functions and cut down the existing non-essential functions, and equal emphasis should be placed on reorganization of the internal functions and relocation of non-essential functions outside the capital to make solid and orderly progress in this regard. Xi urged greater efforts in relocation of marked projects, and the planning for the relocation to Xiong'an of another batch of the headquarters of centrally-administered state-owned enterprises in Beijing as well as their subsidiary companies and units of innovation operation. Incentive and constraint policies for the relocated should be further improved. Xi also called for greater roles of market mechanisms, and strengthening internal impetus for the relocation through market-based and law-based approaches. Work should be done to restrain Beijing's functions non-essential to its role as the national capital from increasing.

 

Xi stressed that more progress needs to be made in the development of both the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area, which are the "two new wings" of Beijing. Xi noted that a balanced relationship should be developed between the role of the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and that of Xiong'an New Area, and coordinated endeavors of the "two new wings" are needed to address Beijing 's "big city malaise." He highlighted a balanced development between the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and the central area of Beijing, and the former should support the development of the city center, and both should achieve prosperity together. Xi urged the relocation of another batch of administrative organs, state-owned enterprises and public institutions under the Beijing municipal government to the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center to make room for the enhancement of the essential functions of the capital. It is imperative to realize balanced development between the "two new wings" and their surrounding areas, stressing their role in leading the high-quality development of the neighboring areas.

 

Xi pointed out that the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is one of the most important three major drivers in leading the high-quality development of China, as it boasts a large number of first-class institutions of higher learning and high-caliber talent in research, and strong innovation capability with a solid foundation. The region should strengthen innovation coordination and industrial collaboration to play an exemplary role in achieving self-reliance in high-level science and technology. Efforts should be made to accelerate the building of an international center for innovation in science and technology and a high-level talent highland in Beijing, making the capital city an important source of China's independent innovation and original innovation. A new model of collaboration among enterprises, universities and research institutes should be developed to increase the efficiency and share of the science and technology achievements that have been applied within the region of their origin. Xi stressed the necessity of reinforcing the principal role of enterprises in innovation to cultivate a group of leading innovative enterprises with international competitiveness that hold independent intellectual property rights. It is essential to consolidate and strengthen the foundation of the real economy, and give top priority to the development of strategic emerging industries such as integrated circuit, cybersecurity, biomedicine, electric power equipment, and safety and emergency equipment to build world-class advanced manufacturing clusters.

 

Xi stressed that the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region should ultimately improve people's wellbeing and promote common prosperity. It is important to encourage investigation and research, gain an in-depth understanding of people's needs, address the issues of concern to their interest to constantly boost their sense of fulfillment, happiness and security. It is essential to accelerate the improvement and sharing of public services, strengthen the policy of putting employment first, and promote more adequate and high-quality employment in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Efforts must be made to share high-quality primary and middle school education resources in Beijing, Tianjin with Hebei, and deepen cooperation in faculty members, discipline development and the application of achievements among higher education institutions in the region. It is imperative to develop health care consortia and extend elderly care programs in Beijing and Tianjin to eligible areas in Hebei. Efforts should be redoubled to work on key ecological conservation and restoration projects such as the sand control belts in northern China and major ecological projects like the building of ecological shields.

 

Xi pointed out that it is important to accelerate the development of transportation and other infrastructure and deepen intra-regional coordination. He stressed the need to pursue coordinated development between Beijing and Tianjin by expanding cooperation in breadth and depth, in order to make the two cities pioneers in regional development and play a radiating and leading role in the development of a world-class city cluster in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. It is necessary to combine Beijing's strengths in scientific and technological innovation with Tianjin's advantages in advanced manufacturing research and development, strengthen joint efforts to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies, build a national technological innovation center in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to enhance their role as a growth engine for scientific and technological innovation. On the one hand, Hebei should give full play to its geographical advantages surrounding Beijing and Tianjin, and build economic corridors connecting Beijing and Tianjin from different directions. On the other hand, Beijing and Tianjin should continue to offer assistance to Hebei, and encourage eligible areas in Hebei to better absorb the spillover effects of science and technology and industrial transfer from Beijing and Tianjin. It is necessary to advance institutional reform and open up wider, make great efforts to improve the business environment, communicate with other regions at home and abroad to make the region a pacesetter for opening up in China.

 

Xi emphasized that to carry out the extensive theoretical study program is the top priority of this year's Party building work. The provincial and city Party committees in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei must conscientiously implement the arrangements and requirements of the CPC Central Committee, earnestly focus on the study program, and further enhance the political and organizational role of Party organizations at various levels to provide a strong guarantee for promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

 

In his speech, Li Qiang said that it is essential to earnestly study and thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech, thinking and acting from a big-picture perspective, in a bid to advance the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region more effectively and efficiently. It is imperative to highlight the primary task, and promote the aggregation of resources, policies and forces with the aim of relieving Beijing of functions non-essential to its role as China's capital, so as to make sure notable results will be achieved in the relocation of landmark projects. We must be aware of the regional differences, step up efforts to make regions complement each other with their own strengths, not only to make up for their respective deficiencies, but also forge common strengths, and turn the potential energy of development gaps into the driving forces for coordinated development, so as to ensure that residents have a stronger sense of fulfillment. Efforts should be made to further improve the working mechanism and form a closer coordinated promotion pattern.

 

Ding Xuexiang said that it is necessary to conscientiously study and implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, adhere to the rigid requirements of remarkable improvement in air quality, and make continuous efforts to prevent and control air pollution, so as to bring the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to a higher level. Efforts should be made to accelerate the optimization and upgrading of the industrial structure, resolutely curb the blind development of energy-intensive projects with high emission and backward production capacity. Work must be done to promote the low-carbon transition in energy structure, strengthen the clean and highly-efficient use of coal, and vigorously develop new and clean energy. Efforts should be made to adjust and optimize the transportation structure to reduce fuel pollution emissions from the source. Continuous efforts must be made to deepen the joint mechanism for the prevention and control of air pollution, make sure that local governments perform their due responsibilities to form a synergy for joint management in this regard.