Blue skies and clear water in Nantong. [Photo provided by Xu Congjun to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Nantong in Jiangsu province recently published a three-phase implementation plan to transform into a greener and more beautiful city.

The plan states that by 2025, total emissions of major pollutants should continue to decrease, with a PM2.5 concentration of around 27 micrograms per cubic meter. The proportion of excellent air quality days and the ratio of Grade III water quality in national and provincial monitoring sections should meet provincial targets, and the proportion of good coastal seawater quality should exceed 64 percent.

It also states that by 2027, the average PM2.5 concentration should meet provincial targets and strive for further improvement. The safe utilization rate of polluted arable land should exceed 94 percent, while the proportion of high-quality coastal seawater should reach around 70 percent.

Looking ahead to 2035, the plan states that a well-established green and sustainable development pattern should take shape in Nantong. The urban and rural landscapes and living environments should be significantly improved, the natural environment should be healthy and beautiful, and the average PM2.5 concentration should decrease to around 25 mg per cu m.

Nantong authorities also advocate for the active participation of the public in the development of a more beautiful city, jointly imbuing Nantong with bluer skies, greener land, and clearer water.