Xi Jinping Urges Officials to Accelerate Development of Xiongan Legacy Project

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Xiongan New Area for the fourth time, urging officials to fast-track the development of the high-tech hub and legacy project.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 7:39 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

Presidential Mandate for the Millennium City

During his visit to the Hebei province site, President Xi Jinping issued a direct call to action for government officials, instructing them to fully commit to the implementation of the Xiongan New Area. Located approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing, the project is designed to alleviate the chronic "big city diseases" of the capital, such as traffic congestion and overpopulation. Xi emphasized that the development must leverage reform and innovation as primary engines, seeking a seamless integration between advanced scientific research and industrial application.

Strategic Relocation of State Power

The strategic core of Xiongan involves the massive transfer of non-capital functions from Beijing. This includes the relocation of major state-owned enterprises (SOEs), prestigious universities, and top-tier financial institutions. During the tour, Xi visited the newly established headquarters of China Huaneng Group, a major state power generator, as well as local educational facilities. To date, at least eight major SOEs, including Sinochem and China Satellite Network Group, have begun moving their operations to the zone, though many facilities remain in various stages of construction.

A Personalized Political Legacy

Unlike many other Chinese infrastructure projects where top leadership maintains a degree of distance, Xiongan is inextricably linked to Xi Jinping’s personal political brand. Since the plan was first unveiled in 2017, it has been characterized in state media as a project of "thousand-year significance." By tying his reputation to the success of this "dream city," Xi has elevated Xiongan from a mere urban development project to a cornerstone of his long-term vision for a modernized, technologically sovereign China.