Nandong Art Valley in Dinghai district of Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: zjzsqdxq]

Dinghai district in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, has gained national recognition for its sustainability efforts, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment on Nov 18.

Seven places in the province made the list.

Measures taken by the district include improving environmental quality, developing a green economy and creating a marine garden city.

The ratio of days with fine air quality in 2021 in the district was 98 percent, official statistics show.

The district has also made significant progress in improving water quality, and its efforts to protect its Chinese crested terns have won a national honor as well.

The district has over the past few years been stepping up efforts to develop its green economy and has been listed among the top 100 zones in terms of comprehensive strength, investment potential, innovation, green development and tourism.

Emerging industries and high-tech enterprises are developing quickly in the district, which has established China's first modern pelagic fishery base and the first oceanic squid index of China.

The district's service industry is currently home to 15 scenic areas.

In addition, the district has made breakthroughs in creating a modern marine garden city, with its efforts to renovate old residential communities and advance integrated urban-rural development being recognized by provincial authorities.

The district's Xinjian village has also been recognized by the United Nations for its net zero carbon efforts.