Tai'an city in Shandong province advances carbon reduction, pollution control, green expansion, and growth in a coordinated manner. [Photo/Tai'an Daily]

Over the years, Tai'an city in Shandong province has been unwavering in its commitment to ecological priorities and green development, advancing carbon reduction, pollution control, green expansion, and growth in a coordinated manner. 

From January to September, Tai'an had a comprehensive air quality index of 4.18, ranking ninth in Shandong.

In recent years, rivers in Tai'an have achieved a stunning transformation. From January to September, the water environment quality index in the city ranked third in Shandong at 4.88.  

For example, Dongping county has restored wetlands and established an early warning system that helps better manage the ecological environment of Dongping Lake. The waters of Haizi River in Ningyang county has become clearer and its banks greener after undergoing measures such as rainwater and sewage diversion, river dredging, wetland restoration, and intelligent water quality control.

Tai'an has also been leveraging the branding power of Taishan Mountain, creating an integrated "zero waste" cultural and tourism industry chain that combines operations in transportation, cultural performances, hotels and catering, and commercial exhibitions.

Plus, the city has strengthened control at the source of soil pollution. Since 2021, it has identified a total of 236 monitoring units, confirmed 464 pieces of information on construction land spaces, and assessed 522 reports on soil pollution status for reviewed plots.

It has become a national experimental zone for groundwater pollution prevention and control. National control points in the region have found water quality to consistently meet standards. Environmental safety throughout the city have been maintained through efforts such as clean waste measures in the Yellow River Basin and enhanced control over hazardous waste throughout the entire process.