From 'Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains' to 'Invaluable Assets': Tonglu Charts a Path to Common Prosperity

With a forest coverage rate of 75 percent, a 459-kilometer network of greenways, and 129.53 hectares of urban parks and green space, Tonglu has, over the past five years, strengthened its ecological foundations through smart governance while driving industrial transformation with a greener, more circular approach. Amid its natural landscape, the county is unfolding a vivid picture of common prosperity.

Smart Governance Strengthens Ecological Development

In the early morning, the waters of Luci Creek run crystal clear. Behind the gentle ripples is a systematic approach to governance that begins along the riverbanks. Building on upgrades to the urban sewage-pipeline network, Tonglu has rolled out an enhanced "zero direct wastewater discharge" initiative, while pioneering a smart water-balance monitoring system. Digital tools are used to trace pollution sources more precisely and address them at the source. Meanwhile, rural domestic wastewater treatment has been upgraded, with efforts to improve collection and treatment coverage, promote the separation of rainwater and sewage, and ensure treated effluent consistently meets discharge standards.

Thanks to these sustained efforts, Tonglu has achieved remarkable results in water quality management. All surface water monitoring sections in the county at or above the municipal-control level now meet Class II water quality standards. 

In air quality management, Tonglu has built a smart dust-control platform that allows real-time monitoring on a single screen and one-click dispatch. The county has also developed and continuously upgraded the province's first proactive early-warning and intervention system for potential environmental pollution risks. Integrating exhaust emission and catering oil fume data from hundreds of enterprises, and empowered by AI and digital twin technologies, the system is driving a shift from case-by-case rectification to systematic, category-based governance.

Green and Circular Development Drives Industrial Transformation 

Fenshui Town, known as "China's Pen Manufacturing Hub," produces 8.5 billion pens annually. Facing the dual challenge of environmental protection and industrial upgrading, the local pen manufacturing industry has pursued transformation through innovation. What began as a green shift in a single industry has since expanded into broader industrial fields. By phasing out outdated capacity and setting benchmarks for green production, Tonglu has completed remediation and upgrading efforts across 91 enterprises in seven key industries. Meanwhile, multiple enterprise projects across the county have been recognized as provincial models for pollution reduction and carbon mitigation. Tonglu Economic Development Zone has been designated a provincial-level green and low-carbon industrial park, while Fuchunjiang Town and five villages (communities) have been selected as provincial low-carbon pilot areas.

Ecological Development Advances Shared Prosperity 

Each winter, Chinese merganser ducks, often referred to as "living fossils with wings," return as expected. For the sixth consecutive year, they have flown thousands of kilometers from the foothills of the Changbai Mountains to winter in Tonglu, reflecting improvements in local ecological conditions.

Along the Fuchun River, visitors can walk the riverside greenway on the "Golden Left Bank." Stretching around 2.1 kilometers, the greenway closely links the river's natural beauty with the countryside scenery of Meirong Village. Making the most of these natural advantages, the village has introduced a range of new business forms, including boutique B&Bs, rural cafes, modern art farms, and family-friendly recreation spaces. By revitalizing idle rural assets, these initiatives have generated tangible income gains for local residents.

Over the past five years, Tonglu has worked to widen the channels for turning ecological advantages into economic value. Focusing on key areas such as the Jiangnan Ancient Villages Scenic Area and the Fuchun River (Luci) Rural Slow Life Experience Area, the county has actively developed common prosperity demonstration bases, and fostered new models and benchmarks for its "beautiful economy."