Track laying finished for Beijing-Xiong'an railway

China announced plans to establish the Xiong'an New Area in April 2017 to take over functions nonessential to Beijing's role as the national capital. Xiong'an's city proper will be a new home for Beijing's colleges, hospitals, business headquarters and financial and public institutions.

Later in 2018, the country kicked off construction of the Beijing-Xiong'an intercity railway, with a total of 33.5 billion yuan ($4.83 billion) invested in the project.