BEIJING -- Beijing is encouraging the public to express their views or proposals on the city's development plan for 2016-2020 to make it more practical and scientific, said city planning officials.
More than 17,000 people have participated in symposiums and 4,000 proposals have been received, according to the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission.
Suggestions cover the transfer of non-capital functions; environmental protection; technological innovation; urban management; education; health; senior care services; and the coordinated development of Beijing and its neighbors Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province.
"The public's enthusiasm fully shows their love for this city," said Zhang Deming, a planning official with the commission.
The suggestions will be transferred to different government departments for their consideration.
Beijing is preparing to lay out its 13th five-year development plan, as the country is also soliciting proposals regarding the national blueprint for the same period.
Beijing will continue to organize seminars until the end of August to seek public opinions on development, said the commission.
