The city government recently approved in principle the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) for Construction of an Ecological Civilization. The plan's "1-5-8-8 Strategy" contains 1 main line, 5 actions, 8 systems, and 8 programs with measurable objectives.

Green development is the "main line" as Zhuhai becomes a National Pilot City for the Construction of Ecological Civilization under the national "Green by 2020" initiative. So far, quantitative indicators have been worked out for implementation of the measures.

The strategy highlights improvement of urban spatial layout, green transformation and upgrade of industries, pioneering in environment quality, and enhancement of soft power. Another major action is to conserve mountain, river, forest, farmland, lake and sea resources.

Abundant ecological resources [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

Systems involving environmental governance; evaluation, examination, and accountability for eco-civilization; payment for use of resources and ecological compensation; marketing environmental protection; management and conservation of resources; and property rights for natural resource assets will be established. Also to be formulated is a One Map Data Management System for City Land Resources.

Specifically, the government will aggressively prevent and manage air, water, and soil pollution; require industry upgrades for green development; and establish ecological protection red lines. A monitoring platform will be built to compute dynamic eco-environmental changes. As a result, significant improvements should be seen in urban and rural living environments by 2020. The accomplishment of all these tasks will lead to Zhuhai having more "soft strength" in this field, according to the plan.

A timetable for implementation includes construction details of 26 key projects, completion dates, and responsibility. They are to meet 48 indicators in the areas of green space, environment, eco-economy, and ecological society.

The objective is a resource-efficient, environment-friendly, and population-balanced society. The plan is to have a moderately prosperous society in all respects. An explicit layout of main functional areas will be developed with low-carbon green growth taking shape. The establishment of ecological civilization system is to accompany significantly improved economic development regarding quality and efficiency.

Meanwhile, public awareness of an ecological civilization will be widely raised. The goal is to make Zhuhai an international model of constructing an advanced domestic eco-civilization city, the plan states.