Fuzhou shares its experience in building a sustainable city

Fuzhou, capital of East China’s Fujian province, won the first Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) at the 2023 World Cities Day held in Shanghai. It was one of the five winners across the globe. Lin Baojin, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee, did an interview with the media to share Fuzhou’s experience. 

According to Lin, Fuzhou registered 1.23 trillion of GDP in 2022, ranking 10th among provincial capitals in terms per capita GDP, and its economic aggregate ranking 8th, Lin said. 

The city focused on improving ecological environment and people’s livelihood in recent years, Lin said. The concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets rooted in people’s hearts.

Environmental improvement should be given top priority and then the direction of industrial development can be accurately established. Fuzhou has taken a lead in China in the protection of air and water quality, Lin said. 

Third, Fuzhou strengthened the building of wisdom and resilience, and made the city safe, and people happy, Lin said. 

In addition to developing water buses and water tourism, Fuzhou has also established a system for joint commissioning of water systems. Scientific measures were taken to judge rainfall and river and lake capacities, which were helpful in preventing typhoon damage or water logging. With such efforts, the impacts of Typhoon Doksuri and Haikui were minimized, said Lin. 

When it came to the visions and plans for the future of Fuzhou, Lin shared Fuzhou’s practices. 

Fuzhou has accelerated construction of a modern international city. And it is fueling high-quality development, promoting effective governance and accelerating the establishment of a modern industrial system, Lin said. 

Fuzhou takes this award as a new starting point and is contributing Fuzhou’s power to China’s modernization, Lin said.