An aerial view of Haimen district, Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily] 

At the ‌Ecological Civilization Forum held in Beijing from Dec 24 to 25, Haimen was designated as a national ecological civilization demonstration zone, reflecting its achievements in ecological development. 

As of Dec 17, the district's average PM2.5 concentration has dropped to 26.4 micrograms per cubic meter, ranking among the top in the province. The urban sewage treatment rate has reached 99.1 percent, and the comprehensive utilization rate of general industrial solid waste stands at 99.9 percent. 

The district has fostered a thriving ecosystem. It is currently home to 1,216 biological species, with groups of Baer's pochards swimming in Jiangong Lake and black-headed gulls appearing in Liya Mountain, serving as vivid examples of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. 

Haimen has also achieved a win-win situation for ecology and people's livelihoods. The district has invested 3 billion yuan ($429.19 million) in promoting the ecological landscape along the Yangtze River and the Yellow Sea. Ecological landmarks such as Qinglonggang Port ecological green space, 1806 scenic area, and Topu park have been completed, becoming popular destinations for residents and tourists. 

At the same time, Haimen is making major headway in green industrial transformation. It has nurtured 15 national and provincial-level green factories and four provincial-level green development leading enterprises, while three enterprises have been selected as near-zero carbon manufacturing pilot enterprises. 

The district is also promoting the low-carbon upgrading of traditional industries while cultivating emerging industries such as biomedicine and intelligent equipment manufacturing. Currently, emerging industries account for over 40 percent of the total.