Smart city takes roads to the future

Innovation hub

The Chinese leadership has said that pioneering policies and reform and opening-up measures, as well as forward-looking demonstration projects, should be carried out in the new area to attract innovation and business ventures.

Numerous policies have been introduced in Xiong'an to attract and support businesses.

One such initiative is an information industry internet platform, which combines online and offline resources, and centralizes all policies.

Wang Xinchi, an official at the new area's reform and development bureau, said the platform enables companies to easily access, apply and fulfill policies.

In addition, it recommends suitable policies based on a company's profile, Wang said.

"Moreover, Xiong'an promotes a preferential policy approach for enterprises, along with customized policies for key units transferred from Beijing," Wang said, adding that the entire process of setting up a business is coordinated by a dedicated team to ensure seamless collaboration among different departments.

The government plays an active role in helping companies throughout the land acquisition and construction process, Wang said.

Officials have said Xiong'an's key role is to relieve Beijing of nonessential functions as the national capital and advance coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

State-owned enterprises have set up more than 150 subsidiaries and branches in the area. Construction of headquarters buildings for large SOEs, including Sinochem Holdings, China Satellite Network Group, and China Huaneng Group, are at different phases, the Xiong'an administrative committee said.

The authorities in Hebei will provide considerable support for universities and enterprises from Beijing and Tianjin to establish scientific and technological platforms in Xiong'an.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences has set up its Xiong'an Innovation and Research Institute, while Hebei Daily reported that the University of Science and Technology Beijing will establish an innovation center in the area that will specialize in steel and carbon neutrality.

Wei Li, who is in charge of operations at a pilot base in the area for scientific and technological innovation, said the base serves as an intermediate stage between scientific research and large-scale production.

"The base is expected to attract more high-tech companies from Beijing and Tianjin, as the initial phase of the project has been put into operation," Wei said. She added that its main goal is to facilitate the transformation of scientific outcomes into productive forces by allowing small-scale trial production before mass-market commercialization.

From providing free factory spaces to premium services and policy support, the base is committed to cultivating an ecosystem that fosters technological advancement and business expansion, Wei added.

As Xiong'an is developing high-end industries and becoming an innovation hub, the area is also attracting talented professionals.

Feng Pengyao, from Cangzhou, Hebei, who recently gained a master's in gemology from China University of Geosciences in Beijing, plans to apply for a so-called Xiong'an talent card, which will entitle him to public services and benefits related to household registration, healthcare and children's education.

"The application period is from the 1st to the 10th of each month," he said, adding, "I am pleased with the attentive and detailed human resources service, and believe the card will offer great career prospects."

A total of 3,774 people, including Feng, all of whom are urgently needed in Xiong'an, had received such cards as of February, the administrative committee said.