Shijiazhuang, Hebei (October 15, 2025) - Shijiazhuang, the capital city of Hebei province, is making strides towards becoming a modern, international, and beautiful provincial capital. By focusing on five major industrial clusters, the city is energizing new productive forces, with three of its industries already surpassing the 100 billion yuan revenue mark. The city is actively implementing urban renewal initiatives to enhance its development level, with its music and sports sectors gaining increasing prominence, and it frequently appearing on tourist destination lists during holidays. Ongoing ecological renewal efforts are also enhancing the city’s aesthetic appeal and reputation, making it more attractive to residents and visitors alike.

Shijiazhuang is revitalizing its industries to unlock new dynamism. In the experimental laboratory of Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, staff are observing specimens of nematodes, fruit flies, and zebrafish under microscopes to gather data on the impact of drugs on their lifespans. Zhang Yunling, the deputy general manager of Yiling Pharmaceutical, noted that the company adheres to a complete chain of innovation, with several innovative traditional Chinese medicines having been approved for registration and sales in over 50 countries. Since 2021, Shijiazhuang has been working diligently to develop five industrial clusters: biomedicine, next-generation electronic information, advanced equipment manufacturing, modern food, and modern commerce and logistics, providing comprehensive support for innovation across the entire industry lifecycle.

The city is developing its leading industries in a clustered manner. The International Biomedical Park occupies an area of 28,000 acres in the high-tech zone, becoming a concentrated hub for the biomedical industry. A fund for industrial development has been established to support various innovative platforms and enhance the ecosystem for industrial innovation. The biomedical industry in Shijiazhuang now has a full industrial chain system that covers research and development, production, distribution, and supporting services, with biotechnology drugs as the leading component and traditional Chinese medicine as a distinctive feature.

In the Luquan district, the next-generation electronic information industry cluster is also showing significant effects, with major players such as the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation's research institutes and leading enterprises like Hikvision and Puxing Electronics forming six industrial chains in modern communications and integrated circuits. This has created a comprehensive layout from design to application across various materials and products.

Currently, the industries of biomedicine, next-generation electronic information, and advanced equipment manufacturing have all surpassed the 100 billion yuan threshold, while modern commerce and logistics, as well as the modern food industry, are experiencing rapid growth. These thriving industrial clusters are injecting strong momentum into high-quality development.

Urban renewal is enhancing the city's quality. At the vantage point in the Taiping River area of Shijiazhuang, residents can enjoy modern riverside urban scenery while gazing at the ancient scenery of Zhengding and Dongyuan ruins. This area marks the beginning, demonstration, and leading zones of Shijiazhuang's river development strategy, with over 100 buildings reached their final heights arranged in an orderly fashion since 2021.

Shijiazhuang has initiated urban renewal actions, concentrating on “subtracting” within the second ring road to create more space, green areas, and public facilities for its citizens, while “adding” outside the second ring road by implementing a river-centered development strategy along the Hutuo River to expand the city's framework and elevate development levels. The city has prioritized repurposed land for green spaces, sports, and parking facilities, constructing over 400 parks and more than 960 sports fields to address functional gaps and improve living conditions.

Shijiazhuang has formed an urban spatial structure characterized by one main axis, four supporting streams, and two belts, reflecting the transformation from a plain to a water-themed city. Di Guanghui, deputy secretary-general of the Shijiazhuang Municipal Government, states that initial results of this shift are becoming evident.

Ecological revitalization is enhancing the city's beauty. At the confluence of the Hutuo and Taiping Rivers, the ancient city and the new city grow harmoniously, presenting a beautiful picture of the integration of production, life, and ecology. The Hutuo River, Shijiazhuang's mother river, has suffered from pollution, barren landscapes, and degraded vegetation. In recent years, Shijiazhuang has systematically restored 109 kilometers of the river, breathing new life into this once-dormant waterway, transforming it into a “green corridor” that promotes regional development.

Previously, a concentration of steel mills, pharmaceutical factories, and machinery plants along the East Pingdingshan Road led to significant environmental pollution. To tackle these issues, Shijiazhuang has relocated these enterprises and revitalized the industrial heritage, transforming the former industrial area into a micro-vacation zone where visitors can engage with urban history and enjoy leisure activities. The blend of red bricks and glass facades harmoniously coexists, with old factories being converted into art galleries and creative studios, while trendy elements and unique culinary experiences flourish.

This year, the “Zhiyin 1953,” created from the old sites of the First and Second Cotton Spinning Mills, opened and quickly became a popular urban destination. The local culture and tourism bureau reports that recent years have seen an increase in music performances and events, promoting cultural and tourism integration, and contributing to a steady influx of visitors. Statistics show that Shijiazhuang has experienced positive net migration among its permanent residents for nearly three consecutive years, with over 100,000 young talents expected to flow into the city by 2024.