Press briefing on China's 70-year development focuses on Hebei

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‍The year 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Starting this week, the government will release information regarding national development, covering all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

On Tuesday, the government held its first briefing with this regard, on Hebei Province, a neighbor of the Chinese capital and and Tianjin Municipality.

China's State Council Information Office holds the first press conference on national development, with focus on Hebei Province, May 28, 2019. /CGTN Photo

It shows that Hebei continues to gain economic momentum.

Last year, Hebei's provincial GDP reached over 3.6 trillion yuan (about 521 billion U.S. dollars), and nearly 880 times higher than that of 70 years ago when new China was established.

Rongcheng County, Xiongan New Area, Hebei Province. /VCG Photo

This year's Q1 GDP growth stood at a robust 7.4 percent. Wang Dongfeng, secretary of the Hebei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, said people's living standards have greatly improved, and the incomes of urban and rural residents have increased.

"With these, Hebei's people are heading towards building a moderately prosperous society in all respects," he said.

A presentation on Hebei Province's changes in the past 70 years during the press conference. /CGTN Photo

Hebei is seizing new opportunities, like the planning and construction of the Xiongan New Area south of Beijing, which is the third such area in China following two others in Shenzhen and Shanghai.

The province is also preparing for the 2022 Winter Olympics, as a co-host, along with Beijing. Officials said these efforts are underway as planned.

A sign of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Zhangjiakou South Railway Station, Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province. /VCG Photo

With past and present efforts, the authorities in Hebei province are getting ambitious, and taking the opportunities, like the officials said, forging ahead with a new journey for its people.