Baoding upgrading industry to combat pollution

A city in Hebei province is closing traditional industries and seeking to attract more environmentally friendly industries, taking advantage of coordination in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

"It is necessary to close some traditional factories to fight air pollution," said Nie Ruiping, Party chief of Baoding, Hebei province, adding that the city closed an iron factory in September.

"We cannot sacrifice the environment to make money," he said, suggesting industrial transformation as a solution.

According to Nie, Baoding, as one of the most polluted cities in North China, needs to attract more environmentally friendly industries, such as science and technology companies.

He believes the coordination of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region provides an opportunity for Baoding.

Baoding established 17 new industrial manufacturing parks in 2013, aiming to attract high-tech companies.

A Sino-US technology innovative park has been completed and is seeking to attract businesses. Another industrial park focusing on international architecture technology in Gaobeidian, Heibei, was completed in 2013 and will open soon.

"We build industrial parks with preferential land and policies to attract big companies to Baoding from Beijing," said Nie, adding that it will ease pressure on the capital, while also encouraging traditional industries in Baoding to become environmentally friendly.

Baoding has many universities and cooperation with higher institutes in Beijing will reinforce the industrial transformation.

Wang Zhigang, president of the Agricultural University of Hebei province, said the school has cooperated with the China Agricultural University.

"The coordination will reinforce the cooperation with universities in Beijing and Tianjin," Wang said.