Lishui city – located in East China's Zhejiang province – recently released a blueprint for the protection of its ecology and environment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

The plans set out that Lishui will build itself up as a national demonstration zone for the realization of ecological values, a pilot zone for China's carbon neutrality, a leading national zone for the conservation of biodiversity and as a national innovation zone for the management of the area's ecological and environmental health.

In terms of specific development indicators, the blueprint drafted quantitative targets, including a comprehensive biodiversity background survey be fully completed and that the protection rate for wildlife under key State protection should reach 95 percent.

It also stipulated that the proportion of excellent surface water quality should reach 100 percent, the average annual harmful PM2.5 atmosphere concentrations in urban areas should be less than 23 micrograms per cubic meter and that the proportion of days with good air quality remain above 97 percent.

Additionally, the plan also sets specific targets for the treatment of hazardous waste and household waste, as well as the mix and numbers of different-energy-powered vehicles.

In the next five years, plans are for Lishui to form an environmental monitoring network that covers all elements up to the sky and down to the ground.