Huzhou builds an ecological barrier for the Yangtze River Delta region

The city won the Da Yu Ding, the highest honor of Zhejiang's Water Movement campaign, by tackling five water issues: water pollution, flood control, drainage in waterlogged areas, water supply and water conservation, for five consecutive years from 2014 to 2018.

In 2018, the average PM2.5 concentration decreased by 57.7 percent compared with that in 2013, improvement that ranked first in Zhejiang province.

The number of mining enterprises decreased from 612 to 56, a decrease of 91 percent, and the quantity of mine exploitation fell by 71.3 percent from 164 million tons to 47 million tons, and is expected to keep falling to zero.

Huzhou explores new methods of green development

By the end of 2018, Huzhou's agricultural modernization development indicator had ranked first in Zhejiang province for five consecutive years, with the added value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fisheries increasing by 3.1 percent.

Huzhou has been rated as a city with notable achievements in promoting steady industrial growth, transformation and upgrading in the country, with industrial added value above a designated scale increasing by 9.3 percent.

The city received 119 million tourists in 2018, and its total tourism revenue reached 135.71 billion yuan ($19.01 billion), making it one of the most successful tourist destinations in China.

New drivers of urban development emerge in Huzhou

The advantages of Huzhou's favorable ecology have become increasingly apparent, attracting a series of key strategic designations for the city such as "Made in China 2025" pilot demonstration city, national pilot zone for green finance reform and innovation, national integrated tourism demonstration zone, and inclusion in the Ningbo - Hangzhou ecological economic development belt. This recognition has improved its level of urban development and strengthened its comprehensive economic strength and competitiveness.

Photo taken on August 26, 2019 shows the scenery of Houyang village in Changxing county of Huzhou, Zhejiang province, which optimized its water environment, beautified its countryside and improved its ecological living environment by carrying out measures to control pollution at source, transform industries and sort garbage. [Photo/IC]