People from Zhejiang province visit beautiful villages in Ninghai county July 25. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

The beautiful villages in Ninghai county in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, came under the spotlight at a provincial conference on rural vitalization held in the county July 25.

The conference of officials from various government departments, aimed at improving the living environment of rural villages in Zhejiang, was considered a precursor for the further implementation of a project initiated in 2003, to create "tens of thousands of beautiful villages" in the province.

Ninghai is a model county in implementing the project, and as the host place of the conference, it presented its efforts and achievements to attendees from around Zhejiang.

Over the past 15 years, Ninghai has attached much importance to the building of beautiful villages. Every year, during the first week after Spring Festival, over 10,000 people take part in a movement to improve the rural environment. Since last year, the county government has developed an overall plan involving the whole county and its towns and villages, in a bid to ensure the balanced advancement of every corner of Ninghai.

Yang Yong, Party secretary of Ninghai county, explained that since 2003 local GDP has achieved an average annual increase of 13.7 percent and rural incomes have increased sevenfold.

Local agricultural products are on display for attendees of the provincial conference in Ninghai county, Zhejiang province, July 25. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]