Hohhot's green solutions bear fruits

Hohhot, the capital city of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, is turning from a historical city into a national forest and garden city, and becoming a key ecological node in north China after 40 years of effort.

According to a press conference held by the municipal government on Dec 11, the city has achieved many improvements to its ecology since the start of China's reform and opening-up in 1978.

Hohhot has prioritized the development of public transportation. It has more than 160 bus routes, covering 260 square kilometers. About 1,000 new energy buses are running on the roads every day. About 48 percent of passenger trips are made by public transport.

Thanks to various environmental improvement projects, the city's green coverage rate has reached 38.3 percent.

Ecological function zones, ecologically sensitive and vulnerable areas and preserves with rich biodiversity have been given better protection.

Local government said it will continue to reform the heating system, eliminate coal-burning boilers scattered across the city, and promote natural gas and geothermal energy.

Efforts will also be made to optimize the management of water resources, promote a classified water supply and improve efficient use of reclaimed water.

Hohhot vows to advance the treatment of major rivers and ecological protection. All the mining operations in the Daqingshan Reserve will be shut down. Over 100 local enterprises' solid waste will be supervised in line with their classification.

Supervision of enterprises' treatment of pollutant water will also be strengthened.

In addition, the city will launch a greening campaign to further improve the ecology.