Chinese transport authorities say a new segment of the Beijing-Xiongan expressway opened to traffic on Thursday, marking the completion of the entire expressway. The direct expressway between Beijing and Xiongan New Area, in north China's Hebei Province, reduces the driving time between Beijing's southwestern fifth ring road and Xiongan New Area to an hour. The major body of the expressway is approximately 97 km long, comprising the 70-km Hebei segment and the 27-km Beijing section. 

In April 2017, China announced a plan to establish the Xiongan New Area, which spans the Rongcheng, Anxin and Xiongxian counties as well as some adjacent areas. The area aims to relieve Beijing of non-essential functions related to its status as the nation's capital while also advancing the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Reporter You Yang is going to travel on the new expressway while taking a look at the convenience brought by the new links.