Hechi boosts green, eco-friendly economy development

During the past decade, Hechi has made efforts to practice the concept of "clear waters and green mountains are golden and silver hills," and develop its high-quality economy while protecting the ecological environment. The city is a proper example of how to effectively construct an ecological civilization in the post-economic development area.

Since 2012, the city has eliminated its outdated production capacity in the coal mining and metal smelting industries and shut down 50 coal mining companies. The city constructed a series of industrial parks to provide a platform for industrial transformation and upgrading and to achieve green development.

Hechi has increased the utilization and disposal rate of industrial solid waste from 20 percent in 2012 to more than 90 percent by adopting measures such as scientific energy-saving management, technological transformation, optimization of its industrial structure, clean production and comprehensive resource utilization. In 2016, Hechi became one of the first 12 demonstration bases for the comprehensive utilization of industrial resources in the country.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), Hechi accelerated the construction of a sustainable modern energy system. In addition to hydropower, it vigorously developed wind power, photovoltaic power, biomass power and other clean energy industries, and has achieved outstanding results.

An aerial view of Longtan Hydropower Station in Hechi. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

In recent years, Hechi has been giving full play to its natural resources and ecological advantages, developing green industrial fields for drinking water, and developing rural tourism, the digital economy, and ecological agriculture, which have also achieved remarkable results.

At present, the city has 44 nature reserves, national geological parks, and wetland parks. The forest coverage rate has increased from 68.68 percent in 2015 to 71.32 percent in 2021, and the quality of the environment remains at the forefront of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and the whole country.