Prestigious hospital sets up branch in China's Xiong'an

One of Beijing's top hospitals, Peking University People's Hospital, started building a new branch on Monday (Nov. 20) in the neighboring Hebei Province's Xiong'an New Area.

Situated in the Rongdong area, the new branch spans 114.6 mu (7.64 hectares) and plans to accommodate 1,000 beds, said the Xiong'an New Area management committee.

Wang Jun, head of Peking University People's Hospital, said the Xiong'an branch will serve as a national medical center, contributing to the coordinated development of medical and health services in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Founded in 1918, Peking University People's Hospital has evolved into a modern comprehensive hospital, integrating medical care, teaching, research, and healthcare services.

In October, the Xiong'an branch of Beijing-based Xuanwu Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University initiated trial operations.

China announced a plan to establish Xiong'an New Area, located about 100 km away from Beijing, in April 2017.

Xiong'an has been designed as a main beneficiary of functions released from Beijing that are not necessary to its role as China's capital and to explore a new model of development in densely populated areas. This is a significant step toward advancing the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.