High-rises and forests: How Xiongan is building a home for the future

Later this month, more than 180 guests from over 90 countries will travel to Xiongan New Area in north China's Hebei Province for the 2026 Global Governance Forum, to be held from October 23 to 25.

Between sessions on multilateralism, climate and artificial intelligence, many of them will step outside for a first look at the host city: a city designated in April 2017 to take on functions relocated from Beijing and still growing into itself.

Nine years on, the city that planted trees before pouring concrete is seeing everyday amenities fall into place.

More than 5,300 buildings have risen on what was, not long ago, flat farmland and shallow lakes.

Over 400 branches of centrally administered state-owned enterprises and more than 600 high-tech firms have moved in.

Some 483,000 mu (about 32,200 hectares) of new forest – the "Millennium Forest" – has taken root, and 15-minute living circles are filling in around them.

A city for the people From the outset, the goal was not a photogenic skyline but a better everyday life.

Nine years in, that has meant filling in the ordinary infrastructure of a city.

Xiongan set out to work for the very young and the very old at once: 75 child-friendly practice bases, 19 youth night schools and 80 elderly-care facilities are now running.

Housing works the same way.

Multiple supply sources and multiple support channels pair renting with buying, in tiers described simply as "a bed, a room and an apartment": a bed for someone arriving alone, a room to move up to and an apartment to settle into.

New residential developments must set aside at least 30% of units for rent only.

For companies and the people who come with them, the seam with Beijing has been smoothed down.

The two cities now share 278 government service scenarios, and 209 professional qualifications and credentials are mutually recognized, so a firm can complete a relocation in one place instead of shuttling between the two.