In September, Baotou enjoys the beauty of autumn, with clear blue skies and gentle breezes mingling with the sun's warmth. Strolling along the banks of the Yellow River's Baotou Section, residents can feel the city's air quality improving and the environment becoming greener and more beautiful – a testament to the city's ecological progress in recent years.

Behind this picturesque scenery lies Baotou's efforts in ecological civilization. In recent years, the city has prioritized ecological construction, integrating it into all aspects of economic and social development. Baotou has aimed to build a modern city where humans and nature coexist harmoniously, bringing the concept of "green mountains and clear waters are as valuable as mountains of gold and silver" to life.

The Yellow River Wetland landscape in Baotou. [Photo/WeChat account of Baotou Daily]

Liu Shuai, a marathon enthusiast from Shanxi, expressed his excitement after participating in the 2024 Baotou Half Marathon and admiring the clear sky and fresh air. Resident Ms. Lu also praised the greenery and pocket parks along the roads that make her daily walks pleasant. Under the leadership of the Baotou Municipal Government, the city has focused on improving the environment by launching pollution prevention campaigns. The proportion of days with good air quality has increased from around 50 percent in 2014 to over 80 percent. PM2.5 levels have also been reduced by nearly 50 percent.

According to national standards, good ambient air quality refers to an air pollution index greater than 50 and less than or equal to 100.

Efforts have been made to enhance water management and waste treatment, with initiatives such as achieving zero wastewater discharge in key industries like coal chemistry. Baotou has been selected as a national pilot city to comprehensively utilize solid industrial waste. The city also promotes afforestation, with millions of trees planted annually, transforming the landscape and improving residents' well-being.

As Baotou's efforts continue, it is building a high quality of life where green mountains, clear waters, and fresh air are part of everyday life.

The ecological management area on the south slope of Daqing Mountain in Baotou. [Photo/WeChat account of Baotou Daily]