On March 23, during an inspection of the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei Province, the General Secretary emphasized: “The undertaking of functions must adhere to high standards and high quality, organically linking the relocation of Beijing’s non-capital functions with the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.”

More than a month earlier, during an inspection in Beijing, the General Secretary stressed: “Beijing should base its efforts on the city’s strategic positioning and the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, further establish a high-quality development orientation, and promote effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth in the economy through a mix of increases and decreases, protections and pressures.”

In the first year of a new phase, from Beijing to Xiong’an, two consecutive local inspections have focused on the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the first national strategy for coordinated regional development in the new era.

Today, the “city of the future” is growing rapidly, and the Jing-Jin-Ji region is undergoing daily changes. The consistent theme is relentless effort and practical action, underpinned by profound consideration for planning economic and social development with dialectical thinking.

The solution to coordinated development began with a question of “reduction and increase” concerning the capital’s development.

The timeline goes back to February 2014.

The General Secretary presided over a symposium, specifically listening to reports on the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, emphasizing that “the coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei is of great significance, and understanding of this issue must be elevated to the level of national strategy.”

At that time, Beijing was experiencing “growing pains.” Overpopulation, traffic congestion, and significant ecological environmental pressure… Solving Beijing’s “big city problems” required “surgical intervention.”

“To properly address Beijing’s development issues, they must be considered within the strategic space of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Bohai Rim economic zone.”

How to solve the “Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei integration” puzzle?

The General Secretary pointed out that the coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei must “grasp the relocation of Beijing’s non-capital functions as the ‘key link’,” and that “relocation is not simply moving house; it should also be an opportunity for renewal and upgrading.”

With retreat for advance, with relinquishment for gain, a change in perspective opens up new horizons.

Beijing persists with reduction-based development, creating new space for high-quality development and enhancing overall urban functions; Tianjin leverages its advantages in advanced manufacturing, closely connecting with Beijing’s scientific and technological innovation resources; the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei and Beijing’s municipal administrative center strengthen differentiated and interconnected development, reinforcing the supporting role of node cities like Tangshan, Baoding, Zhangjiakou, and Langfang.

“The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei integration is mutually beneficial; ultimately, no one loses out, and everyone gains what they seek.” Through reduction and increase, dispersal and reception, the three provincial-level regions have moved beyond the confines of “a single city or locality,” finding their strategic positioning within the national context for differentiated development, each playing to its strengths.

How to advance the coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei?

The dialectic of “breaking and establishing” runs through the tackling of hard challenges in coordinated development.

“Focus on increasing efforts to promote coordinated development, consciously break the mindset of sticking to one’s own ‘one-third of an acre,’ and work together as a team towards the goals set by the top-level design,” the General Secretary pointed out the key.

What is being broken is the old pattern of compartmentalization and fragmented efforts. In the past, the three regions of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei were geographically connected but insufficiently linked, with administrative boundaries acting as “invisible walls” to development.

Transportation barriers must be dismantled, with a basic 1 to 1.5-hour transportation circle taking shape among major cities in the region; ecological barriers must be dismantled, deepening joint construction, prevention, and control; and, crucially, barriers to people’s livelihoods must be dismantled, promoting cross-provincial handling of education, healthcare, and social security matters. One stubborn problem after another is being solved, allowing for smoother flow of various resource elements.

What is being established is a new system of integrated planning and coordinated advancement. “Seize the opportunity of the expansion of the Beijing (Jing-Jin-Ji) International Science and Technology Innovation Center, strengthen collaborative

Xiong’an New Area

Xiong’an New Area is a state-level new area in Hebei Province, China, established in 2017 as a major national strategy. It is designed to relieve Beijing of non-capital functions and promote regional integration, envisioned as a model city for high-quality development in the 21st century. Its history is contemporary, being built from the ground up with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and serving as a new growth engine for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of China and a major historical and cultural center, with a history spanning over three millennia. It served as the seat of imperial power during the Ming and Qing dynasties, famously housing the Forbidden City. Today, it is a modern global metropolis that preserves iconic ancient sites like the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven.

Tianjin

Tianjin is a major port city in northern China with a rich history as a treaty port, which led to the development of a unique architectural blend of Chinese and European styles in areas like the Five Great Avenues. It grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a center for trade and modern industry. Today, it is a vibrant municipal-level metropolis known for its historical concessions, modern skyscrapers, and as a key economic hub near Beijing.

Hebei Province

Hebei Province is a historically significant region in northern China that surrounds the national capital of Beijing. It served as a crucial territory for ancient dynasties and is home to iconic sites like the eastern section of the Great Wall and the Chengde Mountain Resort, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its name, meaning “north of the river,” refers to its location relative to the Yellow River, and it has long been a strategic and cultural corridor in Chinese history.

Bohai Rim economic zone

The Bohai Rim economic zone is a key industrial and economic region in northern China, centered around the Bohai Sea and encompassing major cities like Beijing, Tianjin, and parts of Hebei, Liaoning, and Shandong provinces. It was formally proposed as a national development strategy in the 1980s to leverage the area’s strong industrial base, ports, and political capital to drive regional growth. Today, it remains a vital economic engine, often compared to other major Chinese zones like the Pearl River Delta.

Tangshan

Tangshan is a major industrial city in Hebei Province, China, historically known as a center for coal mining and heavy industry. It gained international attention after being devastated by a catastrophic earthquake in 1976, which led to a massive reconstruction effort. Today, it is a modern, rebuilt city that also commemorates its history at sites like the Tangshan Earthquake Memorial Park.

Baoding

Baoding is a historic city in Hebei Province, China, best known for its traditional production of “Baoding Balls”—metal health balls used for hand exercise. It served as a provincial capital during the Qing Dynasty and is home to ancient sites like the Zhili Governor’s Office, a well-preserved complex reflecting its past administrative importance.

Zhangjiakou

Zhangjiakou is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Hebei Province, China, historically significant as a key frontier trading post and military garrison along the Great Wall. It gained international prominence as a co-host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics, with its Chongli district serving as a primary venue for snow sports. The area’s history is deeply tied to the ancient Tea Horse Road and its strategic role in defending the northern borders of imperial China.