Shenyang will continue to develop itself into a “national sanitary city”, “health city” and “food safety demonstration city” in 2018, as part of efforts to improve the lives of its residents.

It was announced at a press conference held by Shenyang Municipal People’s Government Information Office on March 9.

“National sanitary city” is the highest honor authorized by the State to cities that have good comprehensive functions and a high level of social development.

Shenyang announced plans to reach the requirements for becoming a “national sanitary city” over a three-year period in July 2015. Currently, it has entered the last phase of assessments carried out by national authorities.

To reach the goal, Shenyang set a target to repair and upgrade 107 farm produce markets, 120 old residential communities and 16,348 dilapidated houses. Meanwhile, it will plant trees and flowers to cover an area of 1.5 million square meters; as well as dismantle 7.74 million sq m of illegal buildings, and remove thousands of illegal advertisements.

The work on winning “health city” status will soon start if Shenyang passes the final assessment for becoming a “national sanitary city”, according to Li Xueliang, director of safety at Shenyang Food and Drug Administration.

The goal is to create a city with a good living and working environment, a safe and harmonious society, as well as a good cultural atmosphere.

Additionally, promoting food safety is also a top priority for the local authorities.

Shenyang was approved in the second batch of national food safety demonstration trial cities by the State Council in September 2015.

In 2017, a survey carried out by a third-party appraisal agency revealed that about 78.3 percent of Shenyang residents are satisfied with the city’s food safety policies.

In 2018, Shenyang will strengthen monitoring of food production and processing enterprises in the city; and strengthen law enforcement to tackle illegal food businesses.