Baotou was selected as one of the 38 pilot cities for health promotion in China, the only city in Inner Mongolia to be included on the list, reports Baotou Daily.

The largest city of North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region put forward the concept of “Healthy Baotou” in 2008 and Nov 20 is Healthy Baotou Day.

Baotou has been promoting the development of its health industry by making efforts at environmental protection, improving healthcare and promoting residents’ awareness of health and fitness.

Some 140 million yuan ($20 million) has been spent on conducting general examinations and disease prevention among residents over the past nine years. More than 180 million residents have received health examinations. A management system containing children’s vaccination information and immunization plans has been launched. It was the first system of its kind in the autonomous region.

Free health examinations are provided to residents in Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, including residents from the banners and counties that are under Baotou’s administration, Nov 16, 2016. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]

A total of 18 new hospitals and one smoking rehabilitation center have also been set up in the city to further the Healthy Baotou initiative. In order to further encourage a healthy lifestyle, a health theme park and two walkways have been built in the city, measuring 450 meters and 2,500 meters in length respectively.

Thanks to the efforts the government has made in promoting the health industry, the city won the honor of hosting the First Belt and Road International Health Industry Forum which took place on Sept 3.

More than 1,000 highly-qualified professionals and experts from state governments, international organizations and research institutions, from countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, attended the forum and discussed the latest health research, and the future development of the industry.

Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, hosts a walking activity to promote residents’ awareness of fitness and health, Nov 17, 2016. [Photo/Baotou Daily]