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 such briefing, on Hebei Province, which encircles the national capital and neighboring city of Tianjin. CGTN reporter Zheng Yibing has more.

Hebei, the closest province to China's capital city of Beijing, continues to gain economic momentum.

According to a press briefing, last year, Hebei's provincial GDP reached over 3.6 trillion yuan, that's about 521 billion US dollars, and nearly 880 times higher than the GDP of 70 years ago when new China was established. This year's first quarter GDP growth stood at a robust 7.4 percent.

WANG DONGFENG SECRETARY, HEBEI PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE OF THE CPC "People's living standards have greatly improved, and the incomes of urban and rural residents have increased as well. With these, Hebei's people are heading towards building a moderately prosperous society in all respects."

Wang stressed the province's efforts in environmental protection, since its heavy industrial structure still poses threats to good air quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, which is now in the coordinated development.

WANG DONGFENG SECRETARY, HEBEI PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE OF THE CPC "Instead of sacrificing the blue sky, we would rather lose GDP. And through coordination in the region, tackling air pollution has made important phased achievements."

Last year, the average density of PM2.5 in Hebei was 56 micrograms, a 48 percent drop from 2013 when the region suffered from the thick haze. Behind the change was the shutdown of over 120,000 polluters in five years. And Wang says those efforts will continue, not just in the air, but also water and soil.

The province is now taking advantage of 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. Hebei is also preparing for the 2022 Winter Olympics, as a co-host, along with Beijing. Officials say these efforts are moving along as planned.

ZHENG YIBING BEIJING "With past and present efforts, Hebei province is getting ambitious, and taking the opportunities, like the officials said, forging ahead with a new journey for its people. Zheng Yibing, CGTN, Beijing."