China’s central authorities approved the 2018-2035 master plan for the Xiongan New Area on Jan 2. According to this approval, the Xiongan New Area will take the lead in deploying smart infrastructure at a moderate pace.

Chen Gang, vice-governor of Hebei province and director of management committee of Xiongan New Area, said earlier that the Xiongan New Area will step up to develop artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain technology and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Three Chinese telecom operators have set out special agendas for the Xiongan New Area. China Mobile has established an institute to build 5G network, develop smart transportation and industrial application.

China Unicom has set Xiongan as its pilot city for 5G technology with 100-200 5G test base stations in the pipeline. It also plans to carry out 5G scale building and pre-commercialization in 2019.

China Telecom has launched a 5G innovative demonstration network with ZTE and built a scale 5G test network in the Xiongan New Area.

The Xiongan New Area is the test field for 5G technology and vertical applications with the aim of promoting the national commercialization of 5G technology.