Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMAC) and Hebei’s Xiong’an New Area to learn about practical experience in large-scale new area planning and construction.

Both places are listed as part of the “one core and two wings” national development strategy, and the tours aimed to provide a solid reference for the planning and construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).

The Chief Secretary, leading a delegation, went to the BMAC in the morning, where they toured the planning exhibition hall, the Yunhe Business District, the Beijing Library and the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing.

The delegation learned about the BMAC’s overall planning and development, its experience in attracting and concentrating higher education resources, as well as promoting the integration of the industry, academic and research sectors. They also observed the canal-side development and conservation, and the construction of major public cultural facilities there.

Mr Chan said the BMAC has been developed into a world-class harmonious and liveable demonstration area through high-standard planning, green and smart development, and a model of integration between campus and city.

He added that he hoped to draw on its valuable experience in relieving city functions, sharing resources, and innovation ecosystems, thereby providing practical inspiration for the NMUT’s top-level design, smart campus development and sustainable growth.

In the afternoon, the delegation proceeded to the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei to tour the comprehensive service centre at the startup area. They found out about its planning and construction, as well as its “one-stop” integrated services for relieving Beijing of functions that are not essential to its role as the nation’s capital.

This was followed by a visit to the University Town of Fifth Cluster North Collaborative Innovation Exhibition Hall, and the Beijing Forestry University Xiong’an Campus Smart Exhibition Hall and project construction site.

Mr Chan said the first batch of Beijing universities’ campuses in Xiong’an has entered a large-scale construction stage, achieving campus-city integration, deep integration of industry and education, and smart and green development, injecting strong innovative vitality into the new area.

He added that the delegation learned about Xiong’an New Area’s experience in fields such as higher education institution and industry linkage, infrastructure-led development, and sustainable planning. It will provide valuable insights for the NMUT's high-quality planning and construction, helping it develop into a hub for international education, innovation, and technology.

The delegation was joined by representatives from the eight University Grants Committee-funded universities in today's visits.