Infrastructure projects to build upon previous achievements

Beijing's subcenter in Tongzhou district has seen significant advancements in infrastructure construction this year and a batch of new projects will be carried out in the next five years, local officials said.

Wang Chengjun, head of the subcenter's project construction office, said the subcenter had accomplished fixed asset investment of 92.9 billion yuan ($14.22 billion) by the end of November, up 12.7 percent year-on-year. It shows good momentum of vigorous development, Wang said.

A comprehensive transportation hub in the city's subcenter, which is one of the capital's 10 expected hubs, is designed to connect three subway lines and three railways, and is now under construction.

Once put into operation at the end of 2024, it will take only one hour by public transport to reach Xiongan New Area, 15 minutes to Beijing Capital International Airport and 35 minutes to Beijing Daxing International Airport. It is predicted that about 472,000 passengers will transfer at the hub everyday.

The renovation project of Beijing's East Sixth Ring Road and the tunnel project in Guangqu Road are running smoothly, Wang said.

To improve the subcenter's ecological environment, a new park opened to public in September. A huge cleaning program for river courses in Tongzhou is also under way to achieve better flood control.

In the sphere of cultural tourism, the subcenter is involved in a raft of projects.

The much-anticipated Universal Beijing Resort in Tongzhou has seen many of its major projects completed and poised to open. At the same time, 32 roads surrounding the resort have been completed.

A theater that can seat 5,550 people, a four-story library and a museum which looks like a ship when viewed from above are under construction and are scheduled to open in 2023.

There are also archaeological excavations and heritage conservation on a site date from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) taking place in the subcenter.

Those living and working in the subcenter will be able to enjoy quality education and medical resources soon, local officials added.

For instance, Renmin University of China is building a new campus in Tongzhou.

The construction work on a public school that offers nine-year compulsory education plus three-year high school education will finish by the end of this year.

Beijing Anzhen Hospital, one of the country's best hospitals for treating heart diseases, plans to set up a branch in Tongzhou.

In the next five years, the subcenter will work on four aspects: transportation infrastructure, the Grand Canal Cultural Belt, characteristic towns and supporting public services, Wang said, adding that innovative and smart methods are being used in all developments.

yinruowei@chinadaily.com.cn