The county-level city of Zhangjiagang in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, takes full advantage of its strengths to develop its port-vicinity industries. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

The coastal city of Zhangjiagang in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, has taken full advantage of its strengths to develop its port-vicinity industries, and it has now developed into a visually-appealing modern port city, local media reported on June 10. 

The city has made significant progress in afforestation in recent years by adhering to the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets". Last September, the city launched an environmental restoration and upgrading project costing 3.76 billion yuan ($530.5 million), aiming to improve people's living environment and restore vegetation.

"Efforts have been made to reduce a number of inefficient ports and shut down small, polluting enterprises in order to make Zhangjiagang a model for ecofriendly development," said Chen Quan, an official of the city's natural resources and planning bureau.

The environmental restoration and upgrading project is expected to be completed in late June and will create some beautiful natural and rural scenery.

"We should make every possible effort to protect the Yangtze River and prevent its over-development," said Xu Daojuan, deputy director of the city's development and reform commission.

Xu said that a number of key projects related to the protection of the Yangtze River will be introduced in an effort to make Zhangjiagang the most beautiful city along the river.