MEP and the people’s government of Hebei signed the Strategic Cooperation Agreement on Facilitating the Eco-environmental Protection in Xiong’an New Area on Nov. 13, in order to implement the decisions and plans of the 19th National Congress on making a plan at a high starting point for high-standard development of the Xiong’an New Area. Minister Li Ganjie and Governor of the people’s government of Hebei Province Xu Qin signed the agreement on behalf of both parties. Secretary of the provincial Party committee Wang Dongfeng presented at the signing ceremony.

In his remarks, Li noted that the agreement is signed as a result of the two parities’efforts in the implementation of the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and the long-term and close cooperation on promoting ecological progress and improving regional ecological and environmental quality. It is also a concrete move taken under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and by firmly establishing the socialist outlook on ecological civilization, in order to promote green development and build a beautiful China and beautiful Hebei.

Li stressed that the establishment of Xiong’an New Area is a major historical and strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. It is of great significance to pressing ahead with the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei collaborative development strategy, reducing the non-capital functions of Beijing, and accelerating the economic and social development of Hebei.

Li noted that the Ministry highly values the eco-environmental protection of Xiong’an New Area, and will set up a leading group for this purpose. The relevant internal departments of the Ministry will undertake the environmental assessment, Baiyangdian River management, and delineation of the ecological conservation red lines in the New Area. Next, the Ministry will promote the implementation of the agreement and support the environmental management of Baiyangdian River Basin, the ecological conservation and restoration of Xiong’an New Area, the cooperative control of regional pollution, the development of monitoring and compliance inspection system, the innovation of eco-environmental management mechanisms, and the development of green and environmental protection industry.

Wang Dongfeng expressed gratitude on behalf of Hebei provincial committee and government to MEP for its support to Hebei. He noted that it is imperative to put into action the instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, give more weight to ecological and environmental protection, pursue green development, and create healthy ecological environment for building Hebei into an economically advanced and beautiful province. Also, it is important to take the signing of the agreement as an opportunity to address prominent ecological problems that affect the whole landscape, make overall plans for river basin management and regional management, and improve the ecological and environmental quality of the New Area.

Vice Ministers Zhai Qing, Zhao Yingmin, and Liu Hua, and Leader of the Discipline Inspection Group Wu Haiying presented at and witnessed the signing ceremony.

Directors general of relevant internal departments attended the ceremony.