Beijing is to join hands with neighboring cities in a bid to
promote future development and to build a new world metropolis.
The long-term Great Beijing Plan, approved by the Ministry of
Construction, includes Beijing, Tianjin and adjacent areas of Hebei
Province for development.
In
Great Beijing, the policy-making in land development, industry
distribution and environmental protection will take the whole
region into account, instead of Beijing alone.
According to the plan, Great Beijing will cover an area of 70,000
square km with China's two municipalities, Beijing and Tianjin, as
its core districts. Tangshan and Baoding of Hebei Province are the
key cities that could help form the world metropolis.
Sections of some industries and funds in Beijing will be shifted to
neighboring cities and counties, which will help relieve the
capital's pressure of economic development and environmental
protection, as well as offering job opportunities to underdeveloped
areas.
The construction of Great Beijing is expected to provide advantages
to adjacent cities, and should help avoid the vicious competition
that currently exists.
An
inter-city traffic network will be constructed to improve
transportation. Tianjin is expected to become another
communications hub, along with the capital.
The theory of total regional development is widely practiced
abroad, according to experts. London, Paris and New York set good
examples for building world metropolises.
Experts say that a city relying on its own resources could face
restrictions in social development. Building world metropolises is
a choice for a country to further its development in the era of
globalization, experts say.
(China
Daily 10/13/2001)