Editor's note:

The Party chief and government officials of Tianjin answered journalists' questions concerning issues like economic growth, people's lives, the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and health and fitness on the delegation's opening day of the 19th CPC National Congress, which was held from Oct 18-24 in Beijing.

The Tianjin Delegation holds a group discussion during the 19th CPC National Congress in Beijing. [Photo provided to exploringtianjin.com]

Li Hongzhong, Party chief of Tianjin, said the city has been striving to seek innovation-driven and green development and to replace the traditional driving forces for growth with emerging industries and new business formats.

He mentioned the first World Intelligence Congress held in Tianjin in June as an example of Tianjin's confidence in developing itself into a highland for the intelligence industry.

About 70 percent of the governmental budgets are used to improve people's lives every year, according to Li.

Last year, Tianjin turned on the heat supply 10 days ahead of schedule, which helped frail old people to stay warm and healthy as winter approached.

Li said he was "quite gratified" to hear that the number of deceased senior citizens was fewer than that of the same period in previous years.

Mayor Wang Dongfeng said the city plans to make greater progress in implementing the national strategy of integrating and synergistically developing the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

To achieve this goal, the city will combine the region's development with its own modernization and improvement strategies under the guidance of national strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Xiongan New Area.

Tianjin welcomes advanced manufacturing, international shipping and modern financial industries and its harbor will support the construction of Xiongan New Area in Hebei province, Wang noted.

He pointed out that joint efforts will be made to improve the regional transportation network and the environment, as well as promote the sharing and free flow of resources.

He also emphasized the city's positioning as a pilot free trade zone in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei development plan.

Executive vice mayor Duan Chunhua said the holding of 13th National Games strengthened public awareness of the importance of exercise in keeping healthy, led to upgrading of sport facilities, formed a fitness service system, enhanced awareness of the nation's overall fitness and improved the city's appearance.