Crane towers illuminate the dark sky of Xiong'an New Area like innumerable stars on Saturday night in North China’s Hebei Province. This "city of the future" is currently in a growth spurt. (Photos: People.com.cn)

In April 2017, China announced the establishment of the Xiongan New Area to encourage the development of northern China.

President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to build it into "a demonstration area for innovative development."

Xiong'an has planned over 100 key construction projects this year. By the end of July, main parts or auxiliary facilities of nearly 70 projects have started construction. (Translated by Li Yiran, edited by Huang Jingjing)