Zhangjiagang in Suzhou has made great efforts to pursue balanced development, emphasizing both environmental protection and social development. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

The port city of Zhangjiagang in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province has devoted greater efforts towards ecological conservation and has made significant progress in building a "beautiful Zhangjiagang."

In 2019, the city launched the "Zhangjiagang Bay" ecological restoration and upgrading project, aiming to rebuild an ecological corridor along the Yangtze River. It was recently selected as a demonstration case of reform measures by the executive committee of the Yangtze River Delta integration demonstration zone.

Zhangjiagang has thrived due to its proximity to the Yangtze River and Zhangjiagang Port. However, the rapid development of its port-vicinity industries has led to environmental pollution and ecological degradation. In order to pursue balanced development that prioritizes both environmental protection and social development, the city has rolled out a number of concrete measures in an effort to build “the most beautiful bay along the Yangtze River.”

With a focus on strengthening management of the city's water sources, improving the quality of black and odious water bodies, as well as promoting the renovation of the Yangtze River and its tributaries, Zhangjiagang has closed more than 20 low-efficiency port enterprises, torn down 100,000 square meters of unapproved construction projects, and renovated 300,000 km of tidal flat wetlands.

The city has also promoted the construction of a beautiful countryside and characteristic towns, which has in turn bolstered the development of its ecological tourism industry, as well as the homestay industry of villages along the Yangtze River.

In July, the project entitled "Zhangjiagang Bay: Practice of Ecological Restoration in China" was selected as a Sustainable Development Goals Good Practice. It serves as an important reference for green and low-carbon development, as well as ecological civilization in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, and all of China.