A group of seven academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) toured Pingtan, Fujian province from July 11 to 16.

The high-profile scholars visited many noteworthy placed including Matui village, Beigang village and the Fujian Polytechnic of Information Technology's Pingtan campus, and were impressed by the island city’s fresh air and enchanting views.

The academicians from Chinese Academy of Sciences tour around the Beigang village in Pingtan, Fujian province during their week-long stay in the city. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The unspoiled ecological environment is one of Pingtan' most prominent advantages, according to CAS vice president Wu Yueliang.

"ingtan boasts fresh air, agreeable climate and captivating sea views, and all of these make it an ideal place to develop industries such as leisure tourism, sports and convalescent homes,"said Wu.

He added that Pingtan shouldn't commit the same mistake as other Chinese cities in the past -- seeking development at the cost of ecological environment and natural resources. Instead, he suggested the city ought to pursue green development on the basis of scientific and technological improvement.