Nanhu Park in Xiamen, a coastal city in Southeast China's Fujian province.[Photo Provided for China Daily]

Officials attending the Second Session of the 12th Fujian Provincial People's Congress - which opened in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, on Jan 12 – are discussing ways to boost the development of a "Beautiful Xiamen."

Wang Menghui, a member of the standing committee of Fujian Provincial Party Committee and secretary of Xiamen Municipal Party Committee, said the city will give out "rewards" as incentives to those who contribute to the goal of creating a "Beautiful Xiamen", saying that "the more contribution one makes, the higher rewards one can expect."

Ouyang Lijuan, member of the Fujian Provincial People's Congress, said that there is still much work to be done in the reconstruction of the old downtown area, and this "requires the understanding and support of local people."

Ouyang also said that he has witnessed great changes in the Zhenhai community - an old downtown area in Xiamen and one of the first "Beautiful Xiamen" demonstration communities.

Wang Congming, another member of the Fujian Provincial People's Congress, said that the government should implement an overall plan for the renovation and transformation of the rural areas of Xiamen.

Xiamen released the draft of its "Beautiful Xiamen" strategic plan during the China International Forum for Mayors of Friendship Cities, held on Sept 8.

According to the blueprint, Xiamen is adopting a more sustainable development model to provide a better quality of life for its residents by transforming the local economy, improving management systems and adopting eco-friendly policies.

The goal of the authorities is to make Xiamen "an example of beautiful China by the end of 2021", the 100th anniversary of the founding of Chinese Communist Party.

By Lu Ting, China Daily Fujian Bureau, and Zhao Qian

Edited by Roger Bradshaw