A series of key projects promoting the integration of the Yangtze River Delta are launched in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province on May 26. [Photo/wxrb.com]

Nine key projects on the comprehensive treatment of Taihu Lake and its water environment were launched in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, on May 26 through the joint efforts of the Yangtze River Delta region.

According to the deals, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui provinces and Shanghai municipality will invest a total of 13.44 billion yuan ($2.1 billion) to deal with water pollution in Taihu Lake and improve its surrounding environment.

They will bring dykes up to standard, dredge the lake, return polder to the lake, and repair the damaged environment.

Taihu Lake, which covers an area of 2,427.8 square kilometers and is located on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, is an important source of water for 17 million local people.

After more than 10 years of efforts, Wuxi has devised a scientific way to treat the blue-green algae, which broke out in the lake in 2007, leaving 1 million people without drinking water and choked by the stench of rotting plants and fish.

In addition, under the three-year action plan (2018-20) for the Yangtze River Delta's integrated development, the water of Taihu Lake has been improved significantly -- the concentration of water pollutants and the degree of eutrophication have both decreased.

Lou Qinjian, Party secretary of Jiangsu province, spoke highly of the achievements made in cleaning up Taihu Lake during the launch ceremony.

Lou expressed hope to see continued progress in the integration of the Yangtze River Delta by focusing on the major work of integrated and high-quality development led by Shanghai.

The 2021 Forum of Major Leaders of the Yangtze River Delta was held in Wuxi on May 26. The Yangtze River Delta is one of the country's most dynamic regions in terms of economic development, level of openness, and innovation capabilities.