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A visitor takes photo of the sea in Zhoushan city, Zhejiang province, Aug 8, 2019. [Photo/IC]

Cleaner shores

The Red Boat Spirit is also inspiring ecological restoration in the coastal regions of Zhejiang.

Dongtou district in Wenzhou is located on the province's southeastern coast, facing the East China Sea. In 2016, China initiated a project named Blue Bay with the aim of restoring the ocean ecology. Wenzhou was chosen as one of the first 18 pilot cities and Dongtou, with a seafront area of more than 2,700 square kilometers, was one of the ecological battlefields.

With financial support from the central government, a series of innovative measures targeting coastlines, wetlands and islands were undertaken in the district.

Dongao village in southeastern Dongtou has been a big beneficiary. According to Hong Qiuwei, head of the village, it used to be very difficult to develop maritime tourism in the village due to the underdeveloped and harsh geographical conditions.

However, the transformation of beaches and residential buildings, a result of the ocean restoration, has helped turn the tables.

Nowadays, the annual per capita income of the villagers in Dongao has grown to more than 20,000 yuan from 8,000 yuan in 2010. A sightseeing industry, with Dongao village serving as a key area, is taking shape in the district.

Qin Jirong contributed to this story.