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Xiong’an, city of the future, is still in the news as residents come to terms with Xi’s inspiring inspection tour, his third historic visit to their bold experiment in progress.

If it’s a success, it’s all Xi’s idea. If it falls short, it’s due to unforeseen conditions not seen in a century.

Wherever Xi goes, effusive words of praise are sure to follow. Often a mere brush with greatness is enough to change people’s lives. They not only praise his wise policies and show appreciation for how much he’s done already, but pledge themselves to Xi’s vision for the future. And what better place for that than Xi’s pet Potemkin project, Xiong’an, the Future City?

The dubious wisdom of commissioning a city of three million to be built on wetlands next to Baiyangdian, the largest fresh water lake in North China, is never questioned, though the wetland shots are nice and make for excellent background filler.