|

Pinghu, a county-level city in Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, was designated a national demonstration zone for ecological civilization construction at the "2025 Ecological Civilization Forum" held in Beijing from Dec 24 to 25.

This achievement stems from sustained efforts to protect the environment, guided by the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

Environmental improvements are evident, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 24 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024, placing Pinghu first in Jiaxing for the seventh consecutive year.

An aerial view of Pinghu's urban area. [Photo/Tide News]

Economically, Pinghu thrives as an essential gateway for Zhejiang's connection to Shanghai, with a GDP growth of 5.7 percent in 2024. The city's GDP surpassed 100 billion yuan ($14 billion) in 2024.

Pinghu also shines in cultural tourism, boasting over 6,000 years of history and multiple cultural icons, complementing the city's growing role as a leading hub for both economic and ecological development.

Pinghu's rural areas. [Photo/Tide News]