The city of Taicang vowed to take a multi-pronged approach to tackle air pollution by cutting coal usage, shutting down major polluters and promoting the use of new energy vehicles.

The city has planned to construct a 26.8 km heat supply pipeline costing 180 million yuan ($29.45 million). The pipeline will replace coal-fired boilers in the city as part of its efforts in improving air quality.

Three power plants in Taicang have been required to roll out plans to curb air pollutant emissions. An air pollution guideline has been issued to help reduce the share of coal in the city's total energy consumption to below 83 percent by 2017.

Promoting low carbon transport is also among the top priorities of Taicang's anti-pollution drive. The city has purchased 59 buses powered by natural gas and 410 taxis that are also powered by gas.

Taicang is stepping up its efforts in building itself as a modern idyllic city, something that a healthy ecological environment plays a key role in.

Edited by Jacob Hooson