In many people's impression,the city of Shuozhou,located in the northwest of Shanxi and featuring one of the driest climates in the province,should be an arid land with one of the worst ecosystems in the province.

　　But an actual visit to the city gives quite a different impression.People are welcomed by lush vegetation,fresh air,blue sky and clear water.

　　Local statistics show that the forest coverage in the city's urban area has reached 24.48 percent,higher than the provincial rate of 23.57 percent.As the central area of the city is surrounded by a 100-kilometer forest belt,Shuozhou is now known as a"green city along the Great Wall".

　　Local officials said the achievement in ecosystem protection is a result of the authorities highlighting environmental protection and sustainable development.

　　The county of Youyu,located in the northwestern tip of Shuozhou,as well as the entire Shanxi province,is a prime example of successful environmental improvement made possible by the efforts of the local government and residents.

　　Once plagued by drought,Youyu is now an eco-friendly county with forest coverage of more than 56 percent,thanks to greening efforts by generations of residents.More than 70 years ago,the rate was less than 0.3 percent.

　　Zhao Shouzhong,who has been working as a forestry technician for 38 years in Youyu,said he feels incredible joy when thinking how much the county has changed during the past few decades.

　　"When we were young,we had to light up the house even during the daytime because the county was always clouded with sandstorms,"Zhao said."Thanks to the hard work of officials and the people over the decades,Youyu is now one of the greenest counties in Shuozhou."

　　Greening the land is only one part of the local government's efforts in environmental protection.Its endeavors also include developing cleaner industries and promoting the use of clean energy resources.

　　Shuozhou is a pioneering city in Shanxi for developing wind power into a local pillar.About 10 years ago,the city successfully integrated its wind power electricity into the provincial grid.

　　In 2018,it began offering a stable supply of wind-generated electricity to local industrial parks according to long-term agreements inked between electricity enterprises and electricity-consuming companies.A total of 500 million kilowatt-hours of wind electricity were supplied to clients in the first year,helping enterprises cut costs worth a combined 65 million yuan($9.42 million),thanks to State subsidies for clean electricity.

　　A campaign to upgrade the local mining industry with digital and smart technology will also help promote higher efficiency,better safety and lower emissions.

　　As coal mining is one of the traditional pillars in Shuozhou,local authorities said the digital upgrades can provide significant environmental and economic benefits.

　　It is reported that 14 mining shafts in Shuozhou have been turned into smart facilities.The number is expected to hit 100 by the end of 2025.

　　While upgrading its coal industry,Shuozhou is also trying to diversify its economy.Emerging sectors like ceramics,new energy,new materials,biomedicine,and deep processing of farm produce have become new growth drivers.The emerging industries'combined added value was 4.7 percentage points higher than that of the coal industry,according to local statistics.

　　Local residents'livelihoods are also improving with economic development and environmental improvement.

　　The government has dedicated more than 80 percent of its expenditures to improving people's livelihood over the past 10 years and the city announced the elimination of absolute poverty in 2021,marking its entrance into a moderately well-off society.

　　Ren Yongliang and Yuan Zhaohui contributed to this story.

　　By Yuan Shenggao