Continuing support for ecology, ancient legacy
Efforts in both development and ecological protection in Changsha continue as the city government launches a new round of initiatives, said a top official.
“With a profound cultural foundation and unique landscape, the city in Central China’s Hunan province will be built into a modern metropolis with greater internationalization,” said Yi Lianhong, Party chief of Changsha.
He also noted the government plans to design and develop the downtown area with a global outlook, the world perspective and high standards.
At this year’s UN Conference on Sustainable Development in June, Changsha was named to the list of Global Green Cities. The city’s forest coverage has surpassed 53 percent. About 42 percent of its urban area is now covered by trees and grass.
Giving priority to ecological values is a principle the city government has long emphasized, though its industries do not lag behind in development.
The city’s industrial expansion is selective. The local environmental watchdogs shut down or transformed more than 1,000 companies due to heavy pollution and excessive energy consumption.
And it heavily supports and promotes the development of the creative industry as well.
During the massive and rapid process of urbanization, the city government has not sacrificed mountains, original vegetation and other property given by the nature to pursue the rising figures in the city’s GDP graphs.
Many large ecological parks were built based on their original landforms and are now among the largest in the country.
Yanghu Wetland Park, the largest of its kind in central and southern China, covers 702 hectares. The local government has spent 5.5 billion yuan ($ 898 million) on improvements and amenities.
The park has its original ecological environment, water and vegetation. It also has passages for bird and other animal migration.
Juzi Island Park in the Xiangjiang River is another highlight of the city’s tourism. The park cost about 1.7 billion yuan to develop.
What impresses visitors most is an enormous statue of a young Mao Zedong, a Hunan native.
Chairman Mao’s image means a lot to many people. In Changsha, the 32-meter-tall sculpture inspires visitors with Mao as an example of turning ideals into reality.
Other scenery highlights with peach and plum blossoms, bamboo and orange trees, which are also popular destinations for sightseeing and taking pictures.
To date, the city has nine Statelevel ecological demonstration zones and 14 natural reserves of various types.
And, due to its varieties of flowers and trees along main roads and in important areas, “the city appears as if it is in a perpetual state of springtime”, said officials.