Beijing, Langfang agreement promotes integration

SHIJIAZHUANG - A cooperative agreement has been signed by Beijing's Xicheng District and nearby Langfang City in Hebei province to promote regional integrated development, authorities of Langfang announced on Thursday.

Under the agreement, Xicheng and Langfang will boost cooperation in industrial restructuring and upgrading, developing basic industries and tourism, and will promote exchanges in financial and technology sectors.

The two sides will also build a logistics zone and wholesale market together, while Langfang will invest more in construction of nursing homes.

The agreement came after Chinese President Xi Jinping called for coordinated development of the region around Beijing in late February.

Xi said urban layout and structure needs to be optimized and the division of city functions enhanced when building the economic zone surrounding China's capital.

Earlier media reports said that the famous clothing wholesale market located near the Beijing Zoo will be moved to Langfang. However the project is not mentioned in the agreement.

According to Zhao Hong, deputy head of the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, retail and wholesale staff comprise 11.6 percent of Beijing's working population.