An aerial view of Zhoushan. [Photo/the official news website of Zhoushan]

The Zhoushan municipal government hosted a news conference on Dec 23 to share its achievements in natural resource protection and utilization during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

The city's bureau of natural resources and planning presented key data, highlighting an environment-centered development model that balances land and marine resources.

Zhoushan has made strides in water conservation, reducing water usage per unit of GDP by 25.1 percent and industrial water use by 48.6 percent compared with the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2015-20).

In forest management, Zhoushan has increased its total forest area to 62,567 hectares, with a forest coverage rate of 39.43 percent. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the city has implemented 690 forestland projects, an 82 percent increase over the previous period.

Zhoushan is home to 1,864 plant species and 335 terrestrial animal species, including 43 that are nationally protected.

Marine resources are also significant, with 2,085 islands spanning 19,100 square kilometers of sea area. Zhoushan approved 905 new marine use projects during the 14th Five-Year Plan ecommerce (2021-25), a 222.1 percent increase over the previous plan.

Focusing on innovation and reform, Zhoushan is optimizing its marine spatial planning and introducing new online land-use transaction models. Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), the city will continue to strengthen resource management, enhance ecological protection, and foster sustainable development.