Yucun village, Anji county, Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province is the place where the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" was first proposed. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] 

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment's Institute for Environmental Planning and the Huzhou Municipal People's Government reached a strategic agreement on Aug 15.

According to the agreement, the two sides will work together to promote green development in Huzhou mapped out by the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

The concept was firstly proposed in Huzhou's Anji county in 2005, and has since proved to be an important guide for both rural and urban areas in China. This year marks the 15th year since the concept was first put forward. 

The two parties agreed to jointly proceed with the construction of practice and innovation bases for the "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" concept in Huzhou, making concerted efforts to fight against pollution and promote environmental policy innovations.

Huzhou is also set to be selected as a national pilot area for environmental planning, policy studies, and major project construction, according to the agreement.

Wang Jinnan, head of the Institute for Environmental Planning at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said that Huzhou is among the first batches of practice and innovation bases designated by the ministry to implement the "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" concept, adding that the reaching of the agreement will further fuel the city's green development progress.

On the same day, the institute also reached a strategic partnership with the Aji government.