Counties in Shanxi gain national recognition for sustainable development

Qingzhang River in Zuoquan county [Photo/shanxi.gov.cn]

Six counties in North China's Shanxi province recently won national recognition for sustainable development.

Lingchuan, Zuoquan, Yuanqu and Xixian counties were rated as national demonstration zones for ecological civilization construction – China's environmental strategy for sustainable development.

Pingshun and Ruicheng counties were named as practice and innovation bases for the "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" development philosophy.

Lingchuan county, in southeastern Shanxi, has made use of its ecological environment, cultural tourism resources and rich Chinese medicinal resources to promote green development in recent years.

Zuoquan county, on the eastern edge of Shanxi, has steadily improved its air quality. Xiajiaozhang has improved its water quality, while Matian has maintained its Class II grading in the national water quality evaluation system.

Lishan Mountain national nature reserve in Yuanqu county [Photo/shanxi.gov.cn]

Yuanqu county, in the southern tip of Shanxi, has adhered to the integrated protection and systematic management of mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and sandy areas. The forest coverage rate of the county has increased to 45.2 percent.

Xixian county, in southwestern Shanxi, has seized the opportunity of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin. It has improved the quality of the ecological environment and increased the air quality rate from 80 percent in 2019 to 87 percent in 2021.

Pingshun county, in southeastern Shanxi, has a forest coverage rate of 47 percent and has adhered to green development.

Ruicheng county, in southern Shanxi, has made efforts to build an industrial system supported by ecological agriculture, green energy, and cultural tourism industries.

Up to now, 18 counties in Shanxi province have won the same national honors. Shanxi is becoming  a new model for pollution prevention and control, regional green development, and harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.