In 2018, the GDP in Anji reached 40.4 billion yuan ($5.7 billion), up 8.3 percent year-on-year. The general fiscal revenue hit 8 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 19 percent. Last year, Anji received over 25 million tourist visits from home and abroad, generating revenue of 32.5 billion yuan. The value added of the tourism industry accounted for 13.5 percent of the total GDP, the official statistics revealed. 

Furthermore, through the building of beautiful villages, the county has successfully explored a way for the harmonious development of the economy and ecology, rural and urban areas, farmers and urban residents, agriculture and other industries. 

"High-quality green development will be the main theme of the construction of the pilot zone," noted Xu Xing, vice-director of the province's development and reform commission.

Seeing the zone construction as a great opportunity, Fang Min, director of Zhejiang Environmental Protection Bureau, suggested the county continue to explore effective ways to carry forward the "Two Mountains" Theory and innovate mechanisms and systems for higher efficiency.

The official stressed the comprehensive and whole-process management when building the pilot zone, urging the improvement of the quality and stability of the local ecosystem.

According to Fang, the bureau has sorted out nearly 20 projects related to policy, capital and technology and mapped out a detailed plan of action to support Anji's green development.

Qin Jirong contributed to this story.

mazhenhuan@chinadaily.com.cn