"It is important for Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonmous Region, to construct the 'National Forest City'", said Chen Gang, the Party Secretary of Liuzhou.

Chen added the National Forest City is the most honorable reputation for a city which vows to boost ecological construction. What's more, Liuzhou is known as an industrial, historical and cultural city, making it agreat candidate to become a national forest city.

Chen Gang indicated that establishing the National Forest City can ease air pollution, preserve soil and water and reduce noise. Constructing the National Forest City not only optimizes the investment environment, but also allows residents of Liuzhou to live more comfortably.

Sources with the Liuzhou authorities said the city spends over 200 million yuan annually for vegetation construction.

The proportion of forest in the city has reached over 1,182 hectares, and the ratio of vegetation coverage has reached 63.2 percent. Currently, there are six natural reserves all over Liuzhou.

In addition, other newly-built parks and natural reserves in Liuzhou cover 93,000 hectares. Liuzhou citizens' vegetation per capita reaches over 10 square meters. In 2010, Liuzhou was granted the honor of the "Living Environment Model Prize of China" and was named a "National Garden City".

By Huang Feifei (China Daily Guangxi Bureau)