From door to done: everything in 15 minutes

The center also houses government service counters handling 52 civil affairs matters, including medical insurance transfers, public transport card issuance, and business license applications. Residents can consult government workers in Beijing through real-time video links.

A 24-hour self-service area provides services including property ownership certificate printing and medical insurance information inquiries.

A woman surnamed Lin, an employee of a central State-owned enterprise relocated to Xiong'an, printed her Beijing employee social security benefit statement at the self-service area in two minutes.

It is relatively uncommon in China for a community to have both commercial facilities and government service offices at the same place, making Yi'an a pioneer in community assistance in the fast-growing area.

Online services are also diverse. Residents can book everyday support through a mini-program, including parcel and food delivery collection, medicine and fresh grocery purchases, pet feeding and walking, house cleaning, furniture repairs, and child care.

Since the first group of residents moved in 2024, the community has grown to about 5,000 residents across 17 residential compounds, most of them employees of companies relocated from Beijing and their family members. These include China Satellite Network Group, Sinochem Holdings Corp, and China Huaneng Group.

The 15-minute living circle also includes three Beijing-affiliated schools: Beijing No 4 High School Xiong'an Campus, the Xiong'an branch of Shijia Hutong Primary School, and the Xiong'an branch of Beihai Kindergarten. Located close to the community, they provide convenient schooling for the children of relocated employees.

"The goal is to provide them with a living experience as convenient and comfortable as that in Beijing," said Liu Xingyi, deputy Party secretary of the community. Ultimately, it is meant to help advance the integration of Beijing and Xiong'an in community services.

According to Liu, Yi'an also operates in an intelligent and digital manner, drawing on the smart city operation system of Qidong district, where the community is located.

Its AI-powered community governance platform detects issues such as improperly parked nonmotor vehicles, overflowing garbage, electric bikes entering buildings, elderly residents falling, people trapped in elevators, and objects being thrown from high-rise buildings. Alerts are sent to designated social workers for timely action.

The system once detected an unusual spike in water consumption at a household. Community workers contacted the resident and discovered a leaking water pipe. Their timely intervention prevented further damage.

"Residents can also log into the Xiong'an smart community mini-program to submit appeals or take photos to report problems," said Dai. Some residents have suggested building a cinema or building charging shelters for electric bikes, while others have reported loose screws on fitness equipment and noise from upstairs neighbors. Every piece of public feedback is recorded and processed by category, she said.

Residents can also make their voices heard through face-to-face communication, WeChat groups, and a community service hotline.

With about 70 percent of residents being young people, the community also runs a youth night school offering courses in yoga, jazz dance, makeup, photography, calligraphy, and more.

"The courses cost an average of 500 yuan ($74.48) for 10 classes and are very popular," Dai said.

A woman surnamed Chen, who moved to Xiong'an from Beijing with her family, initially struggled to adjust to her new surroundings and unfamiliar social circle. She joined the dance club and, in less than two months, formed close friendships with a dozen like-minded people, she said.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn