Beijing, Hebei sign economic zone deal

Beijing and Hebei province signed a framework agreement for the capital's economic zone covering bordering areas of the two regions from 2013 to 2015.

The Capital Area Special Economic Zone, which was first unveiled in the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), aimed to ease population pressure, high housing costs and traffic congestion in the capital and help underdeveloped neighboring regions to grow.

Shijiazhuang, the capital city of Hebei, and two other cities in the province may be incorporated into the zone.

Hebei is going to build a comprehensive traffic system that opens up wider access to Beijing with high-speed train and airports.