Wuxi spends over $5b to treat rivers

Wuxi in East China's Jiangsu province plans to spend 34.13 billion yuan ($5.09 billion) treating the Wuxi section of the Grand Canal and Liangxi River, including 9.6 billion yuan this year.

The Wuxi section of the Grand Canal cuts through the city and is used for flood control and drainage, water resource allocation, shipping, and tourism in Wuxi.

Liangxi River is the oldest natural river in Wuxi and connects the rivers in the downtown area, the Grand Canal, and Taihu Lake.

Local authorities will renovate ports and wharfs, improve the water environment, and redesign the banks along the two rivers over the next few years.

The 69 port companies and 174 berths along the Grand Canal in Wuxi will be relocated to working zones in Luoshe, Shitangwan, Wangzhuang, Xin'an Daqiao, and Shuofang.

The Wuxi government will also renovate the sewage draining exits and wastewater treatment plants and restore the natural environment along the tributaries of the canal to create clearer water and greener riverbanks.

Renovations featuring the integration of local resources and cultural creations in six demonstration sections along the rivers have begun as well.

The Jiangnan Grand Canal Cultural Park is being constructed at the site of industrial remains along the canal and is expected to be built into a scientific innovation town.

Located at the intersection of the Grand Canal, Taihu Lake, and Wangyu River, the Science and Technology Ecological Park will focus on internet of things technology, the digital economy, and zero carbon emissions.