Since coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province was first raised by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, enthusiasm for the interconnected development of the three areas has grown and early fruits beneficial to local residents have been harvested, contributing to the formation of an initial vibrant and energetic development circle around the capital.

Xi first urged Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei to pursue integrated development on Feb 26, 2014, and he offered a guiding methodology for coordinated development of the three areas.

However, despite accelerated central and local government efforts to promote their coordinated development, concerns have emerged, such as whether Beijing's relocation of non-capital functions and industrial transfer and its ban on population growth are moves to pass on its burdens, and whether Tianjin enjoys any advantages and how can Hebei, which is the least-developed of the three, attract high-level talents.

Yet the coordinated development practices of the three areas are not meant to offload their burdens, but rather to promote redistribution of resources and industries across a broader region to realize mutually beneficial and win-win development.

The coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is a complicated and systematic endeavor. How can the three areas take concerted measures to fight the severe air pollution? How can competition be avoided in promoting industrial transfer from one area to another? These problems and others should be squarely looked at and addressed through accelerated reforms. The coordinated development of the three areas will not only boost the quality of life of local residents, but will also offer a new engine for China's pursuit of an innovation-driven economic growth.