New growth pole to coordinate regional growth

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in November 2012, China's economy has entered a new normal, which comprises several characteristics including transition of the old and new driving forces, industrial upgrading, regional planning enhancement, and pollution prevention and control.

But since urban diseases such as traffic jams, air pollution and high housing prices continue to plague major cities including Beijing and Shanghai, the authorities have worked out new regional development policies that include Beijing shifting its non-capital functions to Xiongan New Area, about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing, and promoting the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei integration plan and coordinated development strategy.

These policies require population and labor transfer. Official data show last year Beijing's permanent resident population reduced by 165,000 over 2017. In particular, Beijing's working-age population (from 15 to 59 years old) fell more than 200,000 in 2018. Although last year saw the second decline in Beijing's population, the rate of decline was sharper than in 2017.