Tai'an's determined environmental efforts yield historic improvements, with multiple key indicators reaching record highs. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Tai'an has firmly pursued a path of eco-priority and green development, achieving historic improvements in environmental quality.

By implementing a comprehensive system to tackle pollution, the city has established a new pattern of collaborative environmental management.

Focused on the critical battles for blue skies, clear waters, and clean soil, Tai'an has made remarkable progress. In 2024, the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 in the city decreased by 20.8 percent and 24.4 percent, respectively, compared to 2020, with the comprehensive air quality index consistently ranking among the top inland cities in Shandong province. The water environment quality index has secured the third place in the province for two consecutive years, and the safe utilization rate of key construction land has remained at 100 percent.

These efforts are marked by tangible successes. The city has established four provincial-level "beautiful rivers and lakes", earned four "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" practice and innovation bases, and two ecological civilization demonstration zones. Domestic sewage treatment has been completed in 3,339 administrative villages.

Rare bird species, including the Baer's pochard, have returned to Tai'an for breeding, reflecting the ongoing enhancement of ecosystem diversity. Adhering to the principle of supporting high-quality development with high-level environmental protection, the city is actively integrating into the development of the Yellow River Basin ecological protection and high-quality development pilot zone.