Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province was honored as a model city for supporting the Chinese government and the People's Liberation Army, as announced by the provincial government at an awarding ceremony in Hangzhou, capital of the province, on July 29.

It is the ninth time that Zhoushan has received the honor. Its two counties - Daishan and Shengsi - were also honored for the eighth consecutive year.

Local authorities have been promoting military-civilian integration in recent years to reform the army and drive the development of the city's China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

Four ex-servicemen from Zhoushan were honored as among the 100 model ex-servicemen in Zhejiang who have made remarkable contributions to local development after they retired from military service. 

"Ex-servicemen are valuable to the development of Zhoushan. We will continue to encourage them to contribute to the city in the future," said an official from the local ex-servicemen affairs bureau.