Hangzhou honored as national sanitary city for 2018

Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, was honored as a national sanitary city for 2018, making the city the only one among all the national capitals and sub-provincial cities to win national praise for four consecutive years.

Altogether nine cities and districts that excelled in the achievements of urban sanitary development were given honors, including Zhangjiagang in Jiangsu province, and Xiamen in Fujian province.

The National Sanitary City award is the top honor in urban hygiene management and authorized to cities with a comprehensive strength, high level of civilization and social development.

Titled the first National Sanitary City in Zhejiang province in 1995, Hangzhou has passed the assessment five times and leads the country in urban sanitary development and construction.

By the end of last year, a total of 97 towns in Hangzhou have been awarded as provincial-level sanitary towns, with the availability of tap water in Hangzhou rural areas rising to 99.99 percent in 2017 compared with 16.84 percent in 1985.