Socially, economically, and environmentally, Zhuhai led all other Chinese cities in sustainable development ahead of other top achievers Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Changsha, Nanjing, and Wuhan in 2018.

The Blue Book on Sustainable Development: Evaluation Report on the Sustainable Development of China (2019) was issued by the China Center for International Economic Exchanges and Social Sciences Academic Press on Aug 29.

The rankings are based on the analysis of economic development, social well-being, resources and environment, consumption emissions, and environmental governance.

Urban centers of Xiangzhou district. [Photo by Li Jianshu/Zhuhai Daily]

This is the second time that Zhuhai has led the rankings. In addition, the city is cited as having the most balanced sustainable development in the country. It scored 4 between the largest and smallest indexes, while Handan in Hebei province rated 97.

Guangdong Province also broke into the top 10 in terms of the comprehensive ranking of China's provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions for sustainable development in 2018.

Oxford Dictionaries defines sustainable development as that which is conducted without depletion of natural resources.