REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT
Delivered at the Third Session of the Fifteenth Beijing Municipal People's Congress on January 12th, 2020
Chen Jining, Mayor of Beijing
Fellow Deputies,
On behalf of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, I will now report to you on the work of the government for your deliberation and approval. I also invite comments and suggestions from members of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Part I 2019 in Review
I will begin with a review of our work in 2019.
The year 2019 marked the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. In this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping inspected our city four times and made five important remarks concerning Beijing. This demonstrated his particular attention to our work at the capital and charted a clear course for our development in the new era.
Over the past year, we have been working under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the direct leadership of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee. We have also received support and supervision from the Beijing Municipal People's Congress and its Standing Committee. Following Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we took quality services to the PRC's 70th anniversary as our political responsibility and a top priority in the year's work. With a united effort, we have strengthened the capital's function as "four centers" , improved our ability to deliver "four services" , taken on the "three key tasks" , and fought to win the "three tough battles" . We have ensured the success of a series of big and joyful events, maintained steady and sound economic and social progress, and fulfilled the targets and tasks set out at the Second Session of the Fifteenth Municipal People's Congress.
Preliminary statistics show that we achieved a GRP growth of around 6.2% the previous year and increased the general public budget revenue by 0.5%. Consumer prices have risen by 2.3%. Urban surveyed unemployment rate has been kept within 4.4%. Residents' per capita disposable income has increased by around 6.3% in real terms. Energy and water consumption per 10,000 yuan of GRP has been cut by around 4% and 3% respectively. The annual average concentration of fine particulate matters (PM2.5) has dropped to 42 μg/m3.
First, we delivered quality services to the celebrations of the PRC's 70th anniversary and other major events.
Under the direct leadership of the CPC Central Committee, we made detailed planning and provided all-round, quality services to the anniversary celebrations. Thanks to good organization, both the mass pageant and grand gala were successful. The mass pageant was joyful and lively, highlighting the theme of "jointly fulfilling the Chinese Dream". The evening gala, blending light shows and high-techs, presented an exceptional and unprecedented feast. High standards were achieved in the comprehensive services we offered to the grand gathering, military parade, spectator service, security service, environmental improvement, air quality and weather service. Municipal parks also staged a large variety of well-designed celebrations for visitors. All in all, we made outstanding contribution to the anniversary celebrations.
We played good host to the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019. The Expo drew participation from 110 countries and international organizations and received nearly 10 million visits. It set the record in terms of exhibition scales and the number of participating countries, and showcased the remarkable achievements China has made in ecological conservation in the new era.
We also delivered quality services to other major events. Success of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations and the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup has won us praise and recognition both within and outside China.
We have continued to integrate key-event services into routine city governance. Services, such as sanitation, transportation, water, power, telecom, and gas, have been delivered, ensuring proper city functioning. The Tiananmen Tower and platforms were renovated with high quality. Landscaping and environmental upgrading were done around Tiananmen Square and along Chang'an Avenue and in other key areas, making the city cleaner and more beautiful.
The people of Beijing, who took an active part in the services as warm-hearted and magnanimous hosts, have presented a positive image of the capital's citizens in the new era. The success of service delivery for major events has further increased our confidence and resolve in fulfilling the role of the capital. This has demonstrated to the world that Beijing is a confident, inclusive and open capital of a great nation, and inspired the city to make greater progress at a new starting point in history.
Second, we have thoroughly implemented the Master Plan of Beijing (2016-2035).
We have further improved the system under which critical decisions concerning the planning of the capital are submitted to the CPC Central Committee for approval and the authority of capital planning lies with the Central Committee. The revised Regulations on Urban-Rural Planning was released for implementation. Measures were adopted for managing the eco-conservation lines and urban development boundaries. Policies on strategic reservation of land for future use and a "reduction-based" approach to development have been formulated. Land used for urban and rural construction has dropped for two consecutive years, and the reduction for 2019 was about 30 square kilometers. Labor productivity (as measured by output per worker) topped 260,000 yuan. The annual "physical check-ups" of the city showed that 15 "health targets" set for 2020 had been fulfilled ahead of schedule.
We have improved the capital's spatial planning system for land use by implementing zoning plans for all 13 districts and the Yizhuang New Town and by improving 28 municipal-level specialized plans. We have formulated a high-quality detailed control plan for the core zone of capital functions, and completed the detailed planning on upgrading Chang'an Avenue and its extensions.
We have developed plans on the holistic protection of the old town, and explored new approaches to neighborhood renewal based on the concept of "relocation for subsidized housing". Renovation was made to traditional courtyard houses in Yuer Hutong. Renewal upon requests of individual households was launched in west Caishikou. The plans for protection and development of the Great Wall Cultural Belt and the Western Hill-Yongding River Cultural Belt were implemented. The implementation plan and a five-year action plan on the protection, inheritance preservation and utilization of the Grand Canal culture and a five-year action plan were released, and the revolutionary memorial sites on the Fragrant Hills were open to the public.
We have finished formulating the specialized plan and action plan for Beijing as a center for international exchanges, the plan for upgrading Beijing Yanqi Lake International Conference Resort and the detailed control plan and design of the fourth embassy district. Solid progress has been made in advancing construction of such key projects as phase II of the National Convention Center and phases II and III of China International Exhibition Center (new venue) as well as the development of key functional zones, including Lize Financial Business District.
We have rectified problems in the planning and natural resources sector by taking lessons from corruption cases. Priority has been given to compliance with the two decisions on addressing disorder and corruption related to land use at the local level, and tightening internal restraints and oversight in the planning and natural resources sector. We have established the inspection system on spatial planning for land and natural resources and a coordination mechanism between the municipal and district levels on key planning programs.
Inspections have been carried out to ensure that rectifications were made at all levels. Tough actions have been taken according to laws and regulations to put an end to illegal land occupation and illegal constructions in shallow-mountain areas and unapproved villa construction. Rectifications have been basically completed of problems arising from the adoption of greens, the leasing of service buildings in parks and the building of the so-called "green shelters".
Third, we have made landmark progress in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development.
The special operation of upgrading the city through function transfer and remediation has made new advances. 399 companies in general manufacturing were shut down. 66 marketplaces and logistic centers were relocated and upgraded. A total of 5,706 hectares of land was vacated through demolition of illegal structures. New illegal constructions, residential lease of illegally partitioned underground spaces, small, unlicensed and polluting businesses and vending on streets and sidewalks have been cleared without any delay.
New branches of eight hospitals including Beijing Stomatological Hospital are being built. Construction of new campuses for Beijing Film Academy and other four universities have been accelerated. As a result, public service resources are more evenly distributed. The three-year action plan for improving the appearance of backstreets and alleys in the core zone has been successfully completed, with 1,255 of them passing the municipal acceptance standards. 1,686 hectares of land has been vacated and reclaimed for greening. 24 leisure parks, 21 urban forests and 60 mini greens and "pocket parks" have been created. 83% of the built-up area now has access to parks and green spaces within a 500-meter radius.
We have carried out a three-year action plan on upgrading convenience shops and added 1,190 convenience stores to communities where they were lacking. Initial progress has been made in implementing the three-year action plan to improve public services and infrastructure in the Huilongguan and Tiantongyuan area (commonly referred to as the Hui-Tian area). The Huilongguan-Shangdi bicycle-only expressway was opened. The Changping branch of Renmin University High School and Tiantongyuan branch of Tsinghua University Primary School have started enrollment. The north section of the Huilongguan Sports and Culture Park and other two cultural and sports facilities were open to the public.
We have fully rolled out the planning of the city's sub-center (also called the Municipal Center) on the basis of the Implementing Rules of the Detailed Control Plan for the Development of the Sub-center. We adopted the guidelines for the planning and design of the sub-center and put together the sub-center Administrative Committee. The first group of municipal-level government organs have moved in smoothly. Construction of phase II of the administrative office area was officially launched.
8,000 mu (or 533 hectares) of greening has been completed by and large at the urban green center. Construction has begun of the three cultural landmarks in the sub-center--theatre, library and museum, as well as the Integrated Transportation Hub at Beijing sub-center Station and the project of bringing part of the east section of the 6th Ring Road underground. The eastward extension of Subway Line 7 and the southward extension of Batong Line were put into service. Facility installation has begun in phase one of the Universal Studios Beijing.
Following the Three-year Action Plan on Facilities Improvement, Ecological Rehabilitation and Functional Renewal of the Old Town in the sub-center, we have improved services for and advanced comprehensive renovations of old and run-down communities. Construction of the Tongzhou branch of the Peking University People's Hospital is by and large completed. The Tongzhou campus of Huangchenggen Primary School and the primary school section of Beijing School have enrolled students. We have pushed forward coordinated development between the sub-center and the three northern counties of Langfang, Hebei Province. The Yanchao Bridge was opened to traffic and solid progress has been made in 52 cooperation projects.
We have accelerated the implementation of projects in priority areas of coordination with Tianjin and Hebei. With the opening of Beijing Daxing International Airport, the Daxing Airport Expressway, and the Daxing Airport Express subway line all at the same time, Beijing has officially entered the era of "double hubs" . The master plan of the Daxing International Airport economic zone is being implemented and the pilot free trade zone has been officially launched.
We have given full support to the development of Xiong'an New Area. The Beijing section of the Beijing-Xiong'an Intercity Railway was put into service. Construction has started of the three high-quality schools and one high-standard hospital funded by Beijing. Good progress has been made in collaboration on environmental rehabilitation. For the first time in history, water of the Yellow River has been diverted to Beijing, filling up the Shanxia Section of the Yongding River, which has stopped running dry for the first time in 40 years. The contractual value of technology transfers from Beijing to Tianjin and Hebei totaled 28.28 billion yuan, an increase of 24.4%.
Preparations for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have gone well. Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-Speed Railway went into operation, symbolizing new progress made in the construction of supporting infrastructure for the Winter Olympics. Construction was completed of the Beijing section of the Beijing-Chongli Expressway, the National Speed Skating Oval, and the Shougang Ski-jumping Platform. The racing tracks of the National Alpine Ski Center have met the standards for test events. The organizing committee of the "Rendezvous in Beijing" winter game series has been established and the organization of services for the games have been well underway.
We have unveiled the mascots, launched the 1,000-day countdown, opened the Winter Olympics Documentary Channel, and started global recruitment of volunteers. The "High-tech Olympics" program was inaugurated together with demonstration projects such as smart venues and cloud broadcasting centers. We have released the Legacy Plan of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. With the opening of the fourth World Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo and rollout of activities such as the "Happy Ice and Snow Carnival", a welcoming environment for the Winter Olympics is being created.
Fourth, we have accelerated development of Beijing as a national innovation center.
To improve the innovation ecosystem, we have issued 30 policy measures to advance institutional reform in R&D management, amended the incentives system, and issued rules promoting commercialization. Breakthroughs have been made in the ownership of research results, thus meeting the long-standing aspirations of researchers.
Basic and frontier research has been planned in a systematic way. The Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences has launched superconducting quantum computation and other key research programs. Phase one of the Chinese Institute for Brain Research was put into operation. The Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence has rolled out a scholarship plan and released the Beijing AI Principles. 33 sub-funds have been created under the Fund of Funds for technological innovation to support hard and core technologies and early stages of innovation. The city's R&D intensity has reached around 6%. The contractual value of technology transactions totaled nearly 570 billion yuan. Invention patent grants have increased by 13%.
We have made fresh progress in nurturing the "three science cities and one hi-tech area" as the main platforms of innovation. Taking advantage of the 16 pro-innovation measures issued by Haidian District, Zhongguancun Science City has provided better services for business innovation activities, steadily improved the innovation ecosystem, and created an urban form conducive to innovation. It has made landmark innovations such as the world's first brain-inspired chips and China's first cancer drugs with overseas approval.
At Huairou Science City, works to build the Beijing Huairou Comprehensive National Science Center have been accelerated. The development plan for the Science City has been adopted and implemented. Construction has begun for all five "Big Science" facilities. The first group of interdisciplinary research platforms have entered the phase of equipment installation and commissioning. Science and technology education infrastructure and the second group of interdisciplinary research platforms have been officially approved and will start construction together. The Global Cooperation Alliance of Science Centers was officially established.
At the east section of Beijing Future Science Park, the agglomeration of innovation resources from central SOEs has produced a magnetic effect. A number of supporting facilities have been put in place and an R&D landscape featuring diversified players has taken shape. Efforts have been made to enhance education-research integration between the west section of the park and the Shahe University Town. The third-phase development of Zhongguancun Life Science Park has been sped up.
Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area has been enlarged. Reforms were made in its administrative and operational setups. 20 key tasks for promoting high-quality development were identified. With the launch of foreign invested projects such as the R&D Center of Varian Medical Systems and AstraZeneca North Region Headquarters, open and innovation-based industrial clusters are taking shape rapidly.
Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Zone has increased efforts in pilot programs and experiments and encouraged each of the sub-parks to focus on its main tasks and pursue a differentiated strategy with distinctive features. 22 hard and core technology incubators have been set up to breed more technology companies, and over 100 new technologies and products were released. Business investment in R&D has increased by around 16%. The zone registers a total revenue of about 6.5 trillion yuan, up above 10% from 2018. Beijing now hosts 82 unicorns, ranking first in China. The Zhongguancun Forum was successfully held, showcasing the city's readiness to join the global innovation network.
We have strengthened top-level design and implementation to develop high-end, precision and sophisticated industries, set clear priorities for each district and enhanced leadership and coordination at the municipal level. A number of key projects have been launched, including Mercedes-Benz new energy vehicles, the YDME wafer fabrication plant, Xiaomi 5G Future Smart Plant and the National Cybersecurity Industrial Park. We have implemented the policy to attract people with advanced skills needed for such industries and brought in over 3,500 talents. Application scenarios are being built at a faster pace, including the first 10 key projects and 20 projects for central SOEs.
Led by new-generation information technologies and the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, new growth drivers have been created for high-end, precision and sophisticated industries. Commercialization of 5G has accelerated, evidenced by the "5G+8K" ultra-high-resolution video broadcasting of last year's International Horticultural Expo and FIBA Basketball World Cup. We have implemented an action plan for innovation in intelligent and connected vehicles (ICV) and opened 503 kilometers of road for testing. Now, the testing mileage has exceeded 1,040,000 kilometers.
Plans have been adopted for nurturing pharmaceutical and healthcare companies along the entire industrial chain. We have started construction of 5 model research-oriented wards and specialized incubators, and supported platforms for third-party technology service, pilot testing and OEMs to facilitate the launch of innovative products or services. We have adopted measures for integrating AI with medicine and healthcare, aimed at fostering an emerging industry of "AI plus healthcare". We have supported wider application of innovative medical devices. Beijing ranked first in China in terms of the number of applications approved for such devices.
Zhongguancun Life Science Park is served and supported by professional, specialized companies up to international standard, which has brought significant improvement in the Park's industrial promotion capabilities. The growth rate of value added created by high-tech manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies above the designated size has outpaced the industrial average in the municipality.