Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli highlighted the powerful control of property as well as the protection of the ecological environment in the Xiongan New Area at a meeting on Saturday.

"The government should make efforts to control the land, property as well as neighboring areas in a powerful and organized way," said Zhang after praising the work by the local government.

"The government needs to come up with high standard plans to construct the area, and the protection of the ecological environment should be the focus," added the vice premier.

Zhang listened to the work report of the local government and laid out the work focus at present and in the future.

The plan for the Xiongan New Area was officially announced on April 1. The new economic zone will span Xiongxian, Rongcheng and Anxin counties in north China's Hebei Province, eventually covering 2,000 square kilometers, with a population of 2 to 2.5 million.

Before the meeting, Zhang inspected the transportation network, the property sector as well as the cultural relics protection work in the new area. He also visited the Baiyangdian wetland and checked the protection of the ecological environment.

"The construction of the new area needs collateral work. We need to make a good start in the construction of the area to welcome the successful opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China," said Zhang.

The Xiongan New Area will primarily be the receiver of non-capital functions from Beijing, including some administrative and public institutions, company headquarters, financial institutions, higher education institutions and sci-tech units.