Four cities in Northeast China's Jilin province joined a nationwide search for the best urbanization achievements.

Oficials from the four candidate cities, Jilin, Meihekou, Ji'an and Yanji, each presented their success stories at a seminar in the provincial capital Changchun in late December. The search began in August 2014 in the eastern coastal Zhejiang province, which also has four candidate towns.

Industry upgrades that rely on innovation should power urbanization, said Zhang Chaowei, deputy head of the Institute of Modern Urban-Rural Development Planning under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Wang Yuhai, professor of resources science and technology at Beijing Normal University, said building a new town should underline the advantages and distinctiveness of industry for its own beauty.

To preserve the natural environment it is necessary for the northeastern localities to jointly set strategic goals and policies in regional environmental protection, said Yin Chengzhi, associate professor of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University, at the seminar.

The event, titled "Beautiful China. Looking for most beautiful towns", was organized by China's Xinhua News Agency. Academics will evaluate 90 towns and cities across the country for the competition.

More than 30 million people have taken part so far by posting pictures of their hometowns online.

Frosty trees in Jilin city, a candidate for the best urbanization achievement award in China.[ZHU WANCHANG/CHINA DAILY]