A new cooperation between Hebei government and a top university was promoted on Saturday, aimed at improving the province’s development, especially regional development and environment protection.

Renmin University of China will cooperate with Hebei in founding a new institute in Zhengding county in the capital Shijiazhuang, targeting North China with focus on the Bohai Rim, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei regional development, urbanization and economic growth strategy in the province and improvement of environment quality.

“This joint program, based on the strong research ability of the university, will act as a scientific think tank to boost the local economy in an all-around way,” said Feng Huiling, executive vice president of Renmin University.

In addition, Hebei already has had a joint program with Tsinghua University since 2002, providing a platform to turn high-technology from the top university into products. The program has fueled the economy and cultivated talent for years.