China is advancing plans for 15 Beijing-based universities to establish new campuses in Xiong'an New Area, with four "Double First-Class" institutions—Beijing Jiaotong University, the University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing Forestry University and the China University of Geosciences (Beijing)—having already begun construction in late 2023. The first batch of students is expected to enroll in 2027, with all 15 campuses set for completion by 2030, providing around 250,000 student places.

The government states that this strategy aims to "relieve Beijing of functions non-essential to its role as the capital" while fostering deeper integration between universities, local research institutions, and industries. Scholars view this as part of Beijing's long-term plan to promote balanced resource allocation nationwide.

Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) at The Hong Kong Hang Seng University, noted: " The proposal will strengthen the overall higher education development in mainland China. With Chinese universities' research and quality enhancement in the last two decades, a good number of Chinese universities are being recognised regionally and globally."

Mok, also deputy director of the Centre for Global Higher Education at the University of Oxford, added that "with strong political will, together with its determination to put innovation, education and talent development together, the proposal will yield positive results if resources are sufficiently allocated for the project".

Media Report:
Times Higher Education  |  New Xiong'an campuses 'must show they can attract top talent'  |  28/08/25