A view of Anji county, Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Huzhou in East China's Zhejiang province served as the main venue to commemorate the first-ever National Ecology Day on Aug 15.

The events in Huzhou included an opening ceremony, a press conference showcasing China's remarkable achievements in ecological civilization, an exchange meeting on the construction of ecological civilization, and a conference focusing on green and low-carbon innovation.

The celebration extended beyond Huzhou, with various nationwide initiatives aimed at promoting and educating the public on eco-friendly practices.

In June, a draft decision was approved during the third session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, declaring Aug 15 as National Ecology Day.

Aug 15 holds special significance, as it was on this day in 2005 that the notion that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" was first proposed in Anji county, Huzhou. This forward-thinking concept laid the foundation for the nation's green development journey.

Anji has since become a shining example of this philosophy in action. By prioritizing environmental optimization and closing down companies in polluting industries such as paper making, chemistry, building materials, printing, and dyeing, Anji has made great strides in restoring its ecology and environment.

The tangible results speak volumes. In 2022, over 95 percent of the monitoring sections in Anji demonstrated excellent water quality, achieving a Grade II classification — the second-highest level in the country's five-tier water quality system.

Anji's commitment to clean air is equally impressive, with approximately 90 percent of the days in the past year experiencing good air quality. Moreover, the county's dedication to reforestation has led to the planting of 671 hectares of trees in 2022 alone, resulting in an impressive forest coverage rate of 69.1 percent.

Recognized for its exceptional achievements in green development, Anji has received numerous accolades. It holds the distinction of being the first ecological county in China and has been honored with the prestigious UN Habitat Scroll of Honour Award.