Wenzhou’s first EOD project approved by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment

Recently, the eco-environment-oriented development (EOD) project of Dongtou District, themed“a sea garden of common prosperity”, was officially approved by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and included in the eco-environmental financial support project repository of the central government, marking the first one of its kind of Wenzhou and the first one for comprehensive governance of marine environment in China. With a total investment of 2.972 billion yuan, the project is set to work on coastal water quality improvement, marine ecological protection and restoration, integrated development of culture and tourism, recreational water sports and healthcare industry.

Surrounding ecological protection and environmental governance, EOD model represents a new way of project implementation for regional comprehensive development by extending the industry chain, enabling the related projects with good returns to compensate for the slow growth of some ecological and environmental projects. Since 2016, China has issued a series of policy to support EOD projects.

Dongtou is one of the 14 island districts (counties) in China, boasting a total of 302 islands. Over the past years, Dongtou has been acting on the principle that“lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” to further promote its marine ecological civilization. Two phases of Blue Bay environmental improvement initiative have thus been carried out, restoring the clean waters and green shores of the islands. Those endeavors have brought Dongtou remarkable ecological, economic and social benefits, making itself one of the“Ten Most Beautiful Marine Conservation Zone of China”, the second batch of bases for turning natural resources into economic gains, and the best practices of beautiful bays.

The EOD project aims at“building Dongtou into a sea garden and an international eco-tourism island”, with the focus on“eco-environmental governance and integrated industrial development”. Due efforts will be made in coordinating the systematic governance and restoration of islands, bays and beaches, and forging an exemplary model for the rehabilitation of the environment of the island, bays and beaches, the commercialized operation of ecological and environmental governance projects, island tourism development, the revitalization of ancient villages, and marine economy-driven common prosperity.

After approval, a number of projects, such as waste-free beach, ecological restoration of mountains on islands and mines, Western Lucheng District tourism, and recreational water sports are in full swing in Dongtou, contributing to the further integration of ecological and environmental governance and industrial projects. Thus, a panorama of Dongtou, a sea garden blessed with common prosperity, is to be unfolded, with improved ecological environment, innovation-driven development of industries and economy, and higher personal income. (ZhongXin)