Shenzhen, which last week reported that more than half of its sea area was polluted, is to receive a top United Nations award for being one of the world's most environmentally friendly cities.
The city has won the Global 500 Roll of Honour award for its 'impressive achievement of marrying rapid and astonishing economic growth with environmental protection', according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The city will receive the award on June 4 as part of international World Environment Day celebrations. The UNEP has this year chosen Shenzhen as the host city for the celebrations.
'Since 1980 . . . the municipal [Government] has passed 38 local environmental laws, established 135 parks, and increased green coverage in the centre by 45 per cent,' the UNEP said.
The city also vetoed 3,619 projects that failed to meet environmental requirements and set up eight waste-water treatment plants. Its air quality met environmental standards on 98.4 per cent of days, and its drinking water met national standards, it said.
'It [the award] is an honour for all four million people in Shenzhen, and also an honour for all Chinese,' said Deputy Mayor Zhuo Qinrui.