The State Council has approved setting up a sustainable development innovation demonstration zone in the city of Huzhou, East China’s Zhejiang province, according to a circular released on July 15.

The development of Huzhou as a natural resource-intensive area should be driven by green innovation in accordance with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and China’s national plan for implementation.

Integrated application of technologies such as green manufacturing, value-added utilization of ecological resources, big data, precise management and control, and decision-making support is required to increase innovation, upgrade green industries, intensify resource factors, improve the living environment, and promote green lifestyles.

As required in the circular, the development zone should become an exemplar for sustainable development in other ecological resource-intensive areas, and provide practical experience for implementation of the 2030 agenda.

The government of Zhejiang province should establish and improve related coordination mechanisms.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, together with member units of the inter-ministerial joint conference for the pilot zones, should support Huzhou in arranging major projects, launching pilot policies, and innovating in systems and mechanisms.