An aerial view of Jinan, capital of Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

Shandong has been ramping up efforts to improve ecological conservation and environmental protection, local officials announced recently.

The province's ecological conservation systems have been improved, the critical battle against pollution has been advanced, and solid progress has been made in promoting green, circular, and low-carbon development. This has led to historic, transformative, and comprehensive changes in ecological and environmental protection and has resulted in bluer skies, greener mountains, and cleaner waters.

According to official statistics, Shandong has established 32 national ecological civilization construction demonstration zones, the fifth highest in the country.

The province will remain committed to the path of prioritizing ecological conservation and pursuing green development, and advance the transition to a model of green development in all respects to build a high ground for ecological conservation, said local authorities.