Zhangzhou achieves balance of economic, green needs

Zhangzhou in East China's Fujian province has made efforts in recent years to improve its environment and promote economic development, benefiting local residents.

Thanks to the country's reform and opening-up over the past 40 years, the city's GDP increased from 891 million yuan ($129.6 million) in 1978 to 352.8 billion yuan last year.

Its fiscal revenue grew to 31.81 billion yuan in 2017. During the period, Zhangzhou's urban population increased by 1.66 million.

According to official statistics, Zhangzhou's GDP increased 8.6 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of this year, the second highest growth rate in Fujian province.

The city's progress in environmental improvements is as impressive as its work on economic development.

Since September 2014, the local government has promoted the construction of a garden-like and eco-friendly city, creating a win-win situation that integrates production, livelihood and conservation.

Zhangzhou intends to build itself into one of the first national ecological civilization demonstration zones and has started to improve the environment in many aspects, such as water, shorelines and atmospheric and soil conditions.

The Nanhu ecological park, one of the environmental achievements, has become a popular leisure area for locals.

It took just 10 months to turn abandoned factory buildings into an attractive park with streams running through hills and temples surrounded by a sea of flowers.

The restored ecosystem not only improves the living conditions of the locals, but also accelerates the pace of the city's cultural industry development.

The Nanhu park features red brick buildings with Minnan or southern Fujian characteristics and its construction introduced new business models.

Hong Shude Ceramics Gallery is among these distinctive buildings.

Hong Shude, the owner of the gallery, said: "The ecological environment provides us with rich inspirations, such as green hills, clear water and swans.

"My ceramic works blend into the natural landscape and add an artistic touch to the environment."

To date, Zhangzhou has 16 A-class scenic spots. The city attracted 32.69 million travelers last year, generating 38.98 billion yuan in tourism revenue.

The improved environment also helps Zhangzhou attract many domestic and foreign investors, including Hengfeng Bank, China's insurance giant Pingan Group, China National Pharmaceutical Group and China National Petroleum Corporation.