Healthy cities program launches in China

China will launch measures and standards for the building of healthy cities this year. Previously, there were 10 Chinese cities named as pilots a healthy city program at the end of 2007, according to information from the Mayor Forum on International Healthy Cities of China held in Dalian, Liaoning province on Sept. 6.

Mao Qunan, a spokesman of the Health Ministry, points out that the construction of a healthy city is a long-term project and requires the collaboration among different government branches as well as public participation.

He said that a healthy city does not simply mean an honorable title exclusively enjoyed by developed areas nor does it mean merely clean streets and well-equipped facilities. It takes all aspects of citizens' daily health care into account.

A clean city is one that comprehensively prevents and controls elements that may threaten people's health, he said.

By Zhang Qian, People's Daily Online