Government to finally reveal plans for Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei integration
Draft proposal to develop 'Jing-Jin-Ji' may be formally announced by June, expert says
After decades of calls to develop Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei as an integrated region, the government has finally created a draft report which may be formally announced in June, reports said today.
The integration would make Tianjin and Hebei autonomous "satellite" areas of Beijing. They will ease some of the Chinese capital's load by hosting hospitals, businesses and government offices that will relocate from Beijing, which would in turn boost their economies..
“The plan is subject for further modification before being handed in to the State Council”, or the country’s highest executive body, according to an expert who helped draft the report who was quoted by China Economic Weekly today.
Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei – or “Jing-Jin-Ji” in Chinese shorthand – are often regarded as a single region due to their proximity, but a joint development initiative has been lacking.
President Xi Jinping’s intervention has raised hopes for a renewed push for regional integration.
“The ongoing work is to weave the thoughts of President Xi Jinping into the report and the formal plan should be released in June,” the unnamed expert said.
Sources have previously told the South China Morning Post that Xi has ordered the central finance leading group to lead the initiative and that the National Development and Reform Commission is drafting the policies.
