Xiongan New Area in Hebei province is preparing to establish a committee for assigning names to places and facilities in the area, in an aim to set normative guidelines for the names.

The team will be made up of local cultural celebrities, experts and government officials, according to the administrative committee of Xiongan New Area.

They will set standards and provide guidance on assigning names and finalizing signs for local places and facilities, including blocks, streets, parks, squares, communities, and buildings in Xiongan.

"Xiongan is like a blank sheet of paper, on which we can draw beautiful pictures," said Liu Baoling, executive deputy director of the committee.

He said it is of great significance to name the places and facilities, which should pass on the local culture.

A netizen who has lived in Xiongan for 29 years said the naming of streets in Xiongan should not copy other places, and should have the characteristics of local history.

"I hope the committee can listen to advice from local residents who know the area better than anybody else," the internet user said.

In April, the central government announced plans for setting up Xiongan New Area to further push forward the coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei.

The area covers Xiongxian, Rongcheng and Anxin counties and is about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing.

Contact the writer at: [email protected]