China Charts Future of Urban Development in Pivotal Beijing Conference
Xi Jinping Outlines Vision for Modern People’s Cities Amidst Evolving Urban Landscape
Beijing—Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a crucial address at the Central Urban Work Conference held in Beijing from July 14-15. The meeting, which also featured a summary speech by Li Qiang, laid out the nation’s strategic direction for urban development, emphasizing a shift towards quality, sustainability, and citizen well-being. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, were in attendance.
National Strategy for Urban Renewal and Growth
The conference underscored significant achievements in urban development since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Xi Jinping highlighted progress in urbanization levels, city governance, livability, and ecological preservation. He stressed the importance of adapting to China’s urbanization transition from rapid expansion to stable development, with a focus on improving existing urban stock and efficiency.
“We must deeply grasp the historical position of my country’s urban development and do a good job in urban work with a broader perspective; deeply grasp the goal positioning of building a modern people’s city, consciously practice the people-centered development philosophy; deeply grasp the strategic orientation of urban connotation-based development, and improve the quality of urban development more targetedly; deeply grasp the internal requirements of enhancing the vitality of urban development, and do a good job in reform and innovation; deeply grasp the systematic complexity of urban work, and strive to improve the ability to implement various tasks.”
—Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee
This strategic recalibration involves changing urban development concepts to be more people-oriented, adopting intensive and efficient development models, prioritizing characteristic development, focusing on governance investment, and enhancing overall coordination in urban work. The aim is to build innovative, livable, resilient, civilized, and smart modern cities.
Seven Key Tasks for Urban Work
The conference detailed seven core tasks for advancing urban development:
- Optimizing Urban Systems: Developing modern urban agglomerations and metropolitan areas, promoting county towns as carriers, and fostering integrated urban-rural development.
- Building Vibrant Cities: Cultivating innovation ecosystems, boosting economic momentum through reform and opening up, and enhancing urban renewal for better integration into domestic and international economic circulation.
- Creating Livable Environments: Optimizing spatial structures through integrated planning, accelerating real estate development reforms, renovating dilapidated housing, and expanding life services.
- Developing Green Cities: Consolidating ecological governance, tackling urban pollution, promoting synergy in pollution reduction and carbon control, and enhancing urban biodiversity.
- Ensuring Resilient Cities: Strengthening infrastructure safety, restricting super-high-rise buildings, improving housing safety, and enhancing natural disaster prevention and control.
- Fostering Civilized Cities: Protecting historical and cultural heritage, improving urban appearance, and enhancing citizens’ civilized quality.
- Building Smart Cities: Innovating urban governance through technology and citizen service mechanisms to address public concerns effectively.
The meeting emphasized strengthening the Party’s leadership in urban work, improving leadership systems and working mechanisms, and establishing a scientific evaluation system for urban development. This includes enhancing the capabilities of urban work teams and encouraging practical action while resolutely opposing formalism and bureaucracy.
A recent report indicates that China’s urbanization rate reached 65.22% by the end of 2023, showing continued urban expansion but highlighting the importance of the shift towards quality development discussed at the conference. (Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China)
The conference was attended by a broad spectrum of national and local officials, reflecting the comprehensive national effort to modernize urban areas across China.