(Photo: Nanfang Daily)

"In 2022, Guangzhou's annual average concentration of PM2.5 has dropped to a record low of 22 micrograms per cubic meter, leading China's National Central Cities including Beijing and Shanghai," Zheng Zewen, spokesman for the Guangzhou Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau, announced at a press conference on February 28.

According to Zheng, Guangzhou's air quality registered a steady improvement last year. The city has controlled the emission of PM2.5 and ozone in a coordinated way to curb the rise of ozone pollution. It has also strengthened solid waste pollution prevention and supervised the entire recycling chain to build a "zero-waste city".

In terms of water conservation, solid progress has also been made in maintaining high water quality and improving river banks.

"In 2022, a total of 147 black and odorous water bodies in the city have been eliminated. "Extensive pedestrian routes and parks along the river banks, consisting of more than 1000 km greenways, have been built," said Yu Mingxi, spokesman for the Guangzhou Water Authority.

Additionally, the Dasha River Greenbelt (大沙河碧道) in Liwan District of Guangzhou won the IFLA AAPME Awards 2022 in terms of Flood and Water Management, an annual international design award organized by the International Federation of Landscape Architects. The 1.1-kilometre belt connects pedestrian routes and is equipped with special signage and life-saving appliances. With more local plants, the greenbelt will help Guangzhou become a "sponge city" with less flooding and more water supply in urban areas.

According to the authority, Guangzhou will step up its efforts on pollution prevention and control in 2023, taking measures in various fields to fight against air, water and soil pollution.