The Weifang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone is vowing to implement a green development principle, including turning away companies that do not meet national industrial standards.

Since 2013, the Weifang government has launched a series of environmental protection measures, strengthened the construction of a modern industrial system and supported the development of high-end industries. Throughout this developmental process, it has employed strict standards in identifying potential investors.

"We will not allow businesses that do not comply with national industrial development standards to move into the zone," said Liu Wenzeng, deputy director of the zone’s economic development bureau.

The zone has encouraged traditional businesses to implement sustainable development strategies to protect the local environment.

Last year, it invested 1.84 billion yuan ($284.4 million) to support local environmental protection projects. Companies such as Huadian Weifang Power Generating Co and Weifang Special Steel Group have upgraded their production methods and waste treatment systems.

It also launched two river landscaping projects in 2015 at a total investment of 15 million yuan. Local authorities evaluated 21 foundries' environmental protection performance and shut down 11 other small enterprises that did not meet national requirements. It closely monitored the operations of 12 companies with high emissions.

"We will continue to optimize our industrial structure and upgrade production methods to develop a demonstration zone that prioritizes greenness," said Kuai Fei, deputy director of the zone's environmental protection bureau.

"Companies have to take more responsibility in environmental protection," said Xia Xitao, vicedirector of production and technologies at Huawei Thermal Power.

At Huawei, its "chimneys" do not emit gas but vapor water. The chimney-like towers absorb extra heat generated in the production process and helps distribute the heat to surrounding households. Before the company upgraded its production process, that heat was released into the air, said Zhang Yinhai, director of safety management at Huawei.

"The first biomass furnace was put into operation in July 2011 and helped the company lower its coal consumption by 60,000 metric tons per year. It has also lowered hazardous substances like sulfur dioxide emissions by 114 tons," said Zhang.

The company is upgrading its biomass furnace to further reduce the consumption of energy, he added.

Many companies in the zone are similarly committed to saving energy. Huisheng Group, a producer of insulated paperboard and paper tubes, mixes marsh gas generated from the treatment of wastewater with coal to save 2,000 tons of coal annually.

Weichai Power and Shengrui Transmission Corp have invested heavily on photovoltaic power plants to reduce the consumption of electricity. Those plants have a power generating capacity of 9.1 megawatts.

The third phase of GoerTek's industrial park will save 1,663 tons of coal annually through a solar-power collection and heatrecycling systems.

The development zone said authorities will not adapt development strategies that lead to "pollution and treatment of that pollution afterward".

"Pollution prevention and treatment are difficult tasks. We have to firmly stop industrial pollution, implement water treatment plans and strictly control dust pollution," said Kuai.

He said the zone will promote energy-saving models implemented by Weichai Power and Weifang Special Steel Group to supply more heat to households during the winter.

The zone plans to upgrade local wastewater treatment plants and reduce dust around construction and coal storage sites.

The zone has partnered with an environment quality monitoring company to enhance its air quality.

Guo Yajing contributed to this story.

Residents admire the cherry blossoms at People's Square in Weifang. Photos provided to China Daily

Residents at the Weifang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone exercise along Zhuohe River.