SHIJIAZHUANG -- The Xiongan New Area in China's Hebei province has started to solicit urban design proposals for an initial 38-square-km area.

The Administrative Committee of Xiongan New Area Wednesday said it has invited renowned design teams and institutions from China and abroad to submit urban design bids for the region's first area to kick off planning and development.

The design plans mainly cover landscaping and a business district for corporate headquarters and financial and high-end service companies.

Established in April 2017, Xiongan, about 100 km southwest of Beijing, is the third new area of "national significance" after the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, established in 1980, and the Shanghai Pudong New Area, founded in 1993.

It was designed to be a new home for Beijing's "non-capital" functions. A number of Beijing's administrative organs, large enterprises, financial institutions, colleges and research institutions are expected to move into the area.

China aims to build it into a low-carbon, intelligent, livable and globally influential city led by innovation-driven development.

The new area will eventually cover 2,000 square km, with an expected population of 2-2.5 million.