During the past few years, many cities and enterprises in China have tried to integrate ecological progress with economic development.

"We will say 'no' when new projects go against environmental protection," said Huang Chuping, Party secretary of Yichang, Hubei province.

He said Yichang has refused projects worth more than 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) in the past few years over environmental concerns.

In recent years, the city has invested nearly 5 billion yuan in environmental programs and another 3.5 billion yuan to increase its forest cover. More than 2 billion yuan was spent to treat sewage and domestic garbage.

"Ecological progress is a comprehensive project, and we started by establishing a mechanism to ensure it," Huang said.

The ecology has been an important part of the city's management evaluation system, according to Huang. Meanwhile, an environmental protection hotline has been opened to involve more citizens.

Yihua Group, based in the city, has been recognized as a national model enterprise.

Jiang Yuanhua, Party chief and chairman of Yihua, admitted that as a chemical company, it put environmental pressure on the city.

However, it has stepped up green development. In the past five years, with more than 3 billion yuan spent to cut emissions and reduce pollution.

Now all of its factories are equipped with advanced sewage treatment systems and can meet the nation's highest emission standards.

His group has saved about 5 billion yuan through energy saving and pollution reduction projects, Jiang said. Yihua plans another three billion yuan to reduce pollution in the coming five years and will further reduce pollution and energy use through technology, he added.

"I believe President Hu's timely call for implementing green progress bears strategic vision. It's crucial we move with an eye on future generations."

Zheng Qixiang, who maintains navigation markers in the Yangtze River and is also a delegate to the congress, is impressed by the new concept of "a beautiful China" proposed by President Hu.

He pointed out that the ecological campaign requires the efforts of everyone. In the past decade, Zheng and his organization have made great efforts in technological innovation for environmentally friendly traffic on the Yangtze River, and developed solar-powered navigation beacons that have been introduced around the nation.

"If everyone can strengthen environmental awareness in our daily work and living, I believe China will grow more and more beautiful," Zheng said.

An Baijie contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at liuxiangrui@chinadaily.com.cn