A forest in Dinghai district. [Photo/WeChat account: zjzsrbs]

Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province and 19 other Chinese cities were recognized as Green Cities in 2021, according to research results by Beijing Forestry University.

The results were determined based on six aspects, including the quality and quantity of forests, forest ecosystem function, and the development of forestry industry.

Nanping and Sanming cities in Fujian province and Lishui in Zhejiang secured the top three places.

Zhoushan has in recent years been working toward becoming a garden city by beautifying and afforesting rural and urban areas.

Statistics show that from 2011 to 2020, 15 towns in Zhoushan won provincial recognition for their remarkable achievements in afforestation.

In 2021, Zhoushan planted 7,124 mu (475 hectares) of forests. Today, 50.66 percent of the city is covered in forests, according to Zhejiang forestry space management platform.

A forest in Lincheng subdistrict, Dinghai. [Photo/WeChat account: zjzsrbs]

A coastal protection forest in Lincheng New Area. [Photo/WeChat account: zjzsrbs]

A forest on Taohua Island. [Photo/WeChat account: zjzsrbs]