New economic engine continues revving

The station is a major provider of construction materials, including concrete and pitch for projects in Xiongan.

Wang, the provincial Party chief, visited the station earlier this year and stressed the importance of it operating as a high-quality, green, energy-saving facility, because the materials it produces "directly determine the quality of various construction projects in the new area".

Last year, 67 major construction projects, such as a water-diversion facility and high-quality schools, were started in the area. Most are infrastructure facilities and projects designed to improve the local environment.

The quality requirement gives Yao an even greater sense of responsibility and makes him even more determined to excel at his job.

"We must ensure every part of the production process is of the highest standard, because, you know, it's for Xiongan," he said.

"Everyone here is determined to do a good job for the future city."

He used to work in Tangshan, Hebei, and usually returned to his home in Beijing every weekend.

However, since coming to Xiongan in September, he has only returned every month or so, even though the area is much closer to home.

Recently, though, travel restrictions introduced because of the coronavirus outbreak mean he has been unable to return home.

Like Yao, most of the people working in Xiongan, including government and company employees, are doing their part for a common goal.

They are helping to prepare the new area to receive noncapital functions from Beijing, such as operations that are not suitable for development in the capital.

Settling the new arrivals－including colleges and research institutions, medical institutes, business headquarters and financial institutions－is a major task in establishing the new area.

To encourage employees of relocated companies to remain in the new area and enjoy new lives, Xiongan has started improving public services, such as education and healthcare, in line with standards in the capital.

Since September, working groups from facilities in Beijing have been constructing a kindergarten, a hospital, and primary, middle and high schools.

The area's public service bureau has stated that the schools and hospital will be managed by four counterparts in the capital－Beijing Beihai Kindergarten, Beijing Shijiahutong Primary School, Beijing No 4 High School and Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University.

By Friday, 1,670 businesses from Beijing had established branches in Xiongan, accounting for 76.47 percent of the total in the area.