On September 16th, at the press conference on Beijing enhancing its role as the center for international exchanges, Yang Jun, Deputy Director-General and spokesperson of Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources unveiled the Planning and Construction Plan of Dongba Area. According to the Plan, Dongba will be built into an area that attracts international organizations and events, leads the development of trade in services and cross-border consumption, pioneers cultural exchanges and image demonstration and showcases international services and smart life. Of approximately 35.5 square kilometers of planned space, about 12 square kilometers is under the management of Jinzhan International Cooperation Service Zone.

Located in the northeast of Chaoyang District, the Dongba area enjoys superior location advantages with easy access to the core area serving capital functions, Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Beijing Capital International Airport. As an important area supporting Beijing's endeavor to achieve its strategic positioning of the "Four Centers," strengthening Beijing's role as an international exchange center, and developing the "two zones", Dongba is faced with unprecedented opportunities for development.

According to the Plan, Dongba will serve core functions and provide ample space to support high-quality development.

Specifically, it will focus on supporting international exchanges and the Belt and Road Initiative, and attract international organizations, industry alliances, arbitration agencies and other institutions to settle in the area. It will also play an active role in providing services to official international conferences, international forums, foreign delegations and other foreign affairs related activities.

Dongba will encourage private organizations, enterprises and a variety of entities to engage in international exchanges, guide high-quality public consumption, set up high-end cross-border consumption centers, and promote the pilot reform of integrating duty-free consumption and early airline check-in.

Efforts will be made to develop a high-end professional service industry in Dongba to attract internationally renowned professional service companies, cross-border financial institutions and international service agencies to settle in the area. Dongba is also designed to support international trade cooperation, improve services to digital trade, set the standards for global digital communication, and build a high-end digital trade industry.

It is worth noting that the Plan requires that every inch of the Dongba area is put to good use by confining construction to a designated area, increasing the proportion of ecological space to 40%, and reserving space for future development and construction.

According to Yang Jun, urban design will be improved in the Dongba area to present a beautiful landscape.

Spaces along Bahe and Beixiaohe Rivers will be developed for citizens to get closer to the water. Large-scale green spaces and intelligent slow traffic greenways will be built to serve multifunctions including slow traffic, sports and leisure, environmental education, and ecological corridors. Chinese and foreign cultural elements will be fully explored and the water's edge will be given full play to create a dynamic skyline. Guidance will be provided in key style elements including architectural styles, colors and the fifth elevation to present an internationalized capital city that embodies both classical beauty and modernity.

Dongba will continue to develop and revitalize its historical heritage.

Dongba will protect and carry forward the history and culture of Bahe river, and present the historical landscape of the ancient canal and three dams from "the seven dams of Futong", namely Xiyang Dam, Zhengcun Dam and Wangcun Dam. It will also strengthen international cultural exchanges and organize more celebration activities, develop new cultural industries such as digital media, and create a charming area where various cultures converge and blend. The area will strengthen the classification-based control of streets and urban planning to enrich spatial levels and provide citizens with a comfortable slow-mobility experience and a pleasant commercial atmosphere. Dongba will also enhance the integrated design and guide around the rail transit stations to improve the accessibility and liveliness of the area.

According to the plan, Dongba will be developed into a green and smart community with tailored public facilities and convenient transportation.

(Reporter: Chen Xuening)