A view of Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province held on to the 17th place among 168 major Chinese cities in the Environmental Quality Index, which provides a snapshot of the overall environmental quality in the nation, in 2022.

The city's EQI reached 68, close to the first-class standard (70), with the ratings for its surface water and coastal water quality both hitting record highs, authorities announced at a recent conference themed on ecology and environment.

Its notable improvement in environmental quality is primarily attributed to a mix of measures taken by the local government.

To date, Ningbo has inaugurated 31 facilities across its jurisdictions to collect industrial solid waste, with related services offered to more than 67,000 companies.

The city has been recognized nationally for its air quality, and its administrative areas - Beilun district, Fenghua district and Ninghai county - have been honored as provincial "waste-free" places.

In addition, concerted efforts have been made to drive green and low-carbon development. Twenty local enterprises have been honored as national green factories, the highest among municipalities with independent planning status in China.