Wuxi aims to become greener

Wuxi in East China's Jiangsu province will make efforts to create a better natural environment by 2035, according to the city's environmental protection and restoration plan for 2021 to 2035.

The plan specifies four major environmental protection and restoration zones, including areas along the Yangtze River, areas around Taihu Lake, and low mountains and hilly areas in southern Yixing, and lays out relevant measures.

For example, areas around Taihu Lake will be dredged and aquatic plants and animals in these areas will be further protected. Both sides of the Liangxi River and the Grand Canal in Wuxi will be planted with more vegetation.

The plan states that by 2025, the city's natural wetland protection rate should be at least 70 percent and its retention rate for natural shorelines should reach 20.5 percent. The city is expected to restore 45 kilometers of shorelines and afforest nearly 800 hectares of abandoned mines by the same year.

By 2035, the four major environmental protection and restoration zones in Wuxi are expected to have enhanced ecological functions in conserving soil and water, regulating climate, and protecting biological diversity. The living environment in the zones will also be further improved.