Beijing ties up with neighbouring areas
By Li Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-03-09 10:20

After almost a decade of discussion and anticipation, Beijing and Tianjin municipalities and Hebei Province in North China have at last resolved to take practical steps for closer economic links with transport co-operation taking the lead.

Tianjin Mayor Dai Xianglong revealed on Sunday that a second expressway linking Tianjin and Beijing would be built and that the top leaders of the two cities had signed an agreement recently to expand the transport network between the two municipalities.

The mayor also secured the support of his Beijing counterpart to build a rapid transit railway between the two metropolises. It will take only half an hour to commute from Beijing to Tianjin when the railway begins operations in 2007.

At a high-profile conference last month, officials from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei reached a consensus on co-ordinated development, starting with the transport network.

The three areas agreed to draft a joint development plan and special arrangements for key projects as soon as possible.

They also agreed to set up a regular consultation system for top leaders.

The conference was regarded as an initial step to boost regional integration, which has been urged for many years by experts.

Zhang Shouquan, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told China Daily that teaming up with Tianjin and Hebei is a must for Beijing to achieve sustainable development.

"Due to limited land, water, energy and other resources, Beijing has no further room to develop more heavy industries," said Zhang. "And some of its industries, such as the iron and steel sector, need to be transferred to the neighbouring areas."

"As to environmental issues, Beijing also needs to join hands with Hebei and Tianjin to prevent sandstorms and pollution of water sources," he added.

However, Zhang pointed out that the three had sought their own development modes rather than seeking synergy for a long time. "Beijing and Tianjin have very similar economic structures, which make them more competitors than partners."

"Local governments in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region should take advantage of their own strengths, re-position themselves and seek common benefits from co-operation," said Zhang.

Top Beijing leaders had expressed their wish to break the barriers among the areas.

Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan said it is an inevitable trend for Beijing to transfer heavy industries and manufacturing sectors to nearby areas.

"The function of Beijing will be to focus on political, cultural and high-tech fields, and other functions can be shared with neighbouring areas," said Wang at Sunday's discussion among Beijing deputies to the ongoing session of the National People's Congress.

Guo Gengmao, vice-governor of Hebei Province, said his province is an active promoter ofregional integration.

"The essence of integration is a regional division of labour," said Gao. "The top leaders of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei have realized the importance of division of labour in a broader region based on advantages and specialization."

He said Hebei has the edge in energy, iron and steel industries, as well as agricultural products; Tianjin is well positioned in the chemical industry, manufacturing and ports; and Beijing is a political and cultural centre excelling in high-tech products.

"The key for integration is to seek common benefits from co-operation," said Guo.

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