A stunning view at Hushan town in Suichang county, Lishui. [Photo by Lei Ning/Lishui Daily]

The city of Lishui in East China's Zhejiang province held an event to celebrate its Ecological Civilization Day on July 28.

Discussions were focused on how to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), and how to promote innovative practices for the "Two Mountains" theory, which states that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.

Lei Jinsong, director of the Lishui Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau, gave a special report on the city's innovative ways to promote biodiversity conservation.

According to Lei, Lishui is committed to building a national biodiversity conservation leading area. It has successively compiled and issued a series of related policy documents and formed a relatively complete management system.

Furthermore, to further reduce water, air, soil, and waste pollution, Lishui has planned to designate 75.67 percent of the city's land area as ecological protection space and has formed a relatively sound network of natural protection areas.

A large number of national key protected and rare or endangered species, including three new global species, have been discovered during the regional survey of Lishui, proving the uniqueness of Lishui's biodiversity in China.

At the same time, Lishui is exploring the ornamental value, educational attributes, and cultural heritage of biodiversity and is actively looking for an innovative way to conserve biodiversity that is government-led, publically supported, and sustainable.