Taicang once again ranked first among the list of China's top 10 "happiest county-level cities", according to the 2017 Chinese Happy City Forum held in Beijing on Dec 7.

The list was released by the weekly magazine Oriental Outlook, managed by Xinhua News Agency. The list was based on the research of local residents' senses of identity, belonging, safety and satisfaction and also the appraisal from other people.

The five following aspects perfectly illustrate why Taicang is capable of topping the list:

Pleasant environment. Taicang has reserved farmland of 400,000 mu (26.666 hectare) for ecological shelter zone and increased its vegetation coverage to 43 percent of its total area. Its industrial wastewater all gets discharged after being purified.

Prosperous culture. The cultural venues in Taicang are all open free of charge with annual visitors of over 1.7 million. Branch libraries of Taicang Library, self-service libraries and the project of "a cup of coffee in your left hand and a book in your right hand" have spread all over the city.

Improved education. The city's gross enrollment rate of higher education has reached 70 percent and a vocational education with dual system has been introduced to the city from Germany. Its education expanse has totaled 8.46 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) over the past five years, accounting for 17 percent of the city's public financial expenditure.

Sound Health Care System. Taicang is home to one first class comprehensive hospital, one second class traditional Chinese medicine hospital and 245 medical and health institutions. The city has also introduced fine medical resources from hospitals in Shanghai.

Home-based care service for senior citizens. Taicang started to explore the home-based care service for senior citizens in 2007 and now the day care centers for senior citizens are available in 90 percent of the city's villages and communities, paid by the local government and run by social organizations.

Taicang once again ranks first among the list of China's top 10 "happiest county-level cities", according to the 2017 Chinese Happy City Forum held in Beijing on Dec 7. [Photo/WeChat account: Tcfbgw]