Xifeng county targets green development in 2024

Xifeng county in Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou province, is prioritizing ecological civilization in 2024, as outlined in its recently released 2024 government work report, aiming to further bolster its commitment to green development.

2023 saw significant progress in Xifeng's environmental protection efforts. Pollution control measures resulted in an excellent air quality rate of 96.2 percent throughout the year, while the wastewater treatment rate in urban areas reached 98.3 percent. All rivers and lakes met water quality standards, and the county planted 300,000 trees, pushing its forest coverage rate to 59.95 percent.

In 2024, Xifeng will prioritize dust and industrial air pollution control, ensuring its excellent air quality rate remains at over 95 percent. Additionally, the county will strengthen supervision of industrial parks, the Xifeng River Basin, and centralized drinking water sources, aiming to keep 100 percent of both surface water and centralized drinking water sources at or above water quality standards.

At the same time, Xifeng will carry out continuous management of natural forests and targeted restoration of 10,000 mu (666.67 hectares) of degraded forestland, while striving for a forest coverage rate of 60 percent.

Furthermore, the county will commit to promoting green and low-carbon development, aiming for green industries to account for 50 percent of its GDP. Green manufacturing upgrades will also be prioritized, aiming to build up at least four green manufacturing enterprises and zero-waste factories. In addition, Xifeng will continue promoting green agricultural development, aiming for a 90-percent adoption rate of scientific fertilization techniques.