Delegation members pose for a group photo with Quzhou's mascot Happy Deer before heading to Egypt to run for the title of International Garden City on Dec 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A delegation from Quzhou, Zhejiang province left for Cairo, capital of Egypt, to run for the title of International Garden City, one of the highest honors in urban construction worldwide, on Dec 12.

The International Garden City competition this year attracted nearly 100 cities from more than 30 countries.

Over 40 cities have made it to the finals, including Quzhou.

Quzhou is a key part of Zhejiang's "garden province" construction, according to a spokesman for the local municipal government.

He said that Quzhou's urban construction target conincides with the theme of the international competition and taking part in the contest is of great importance to advance the city's green development and promote it to other countries.

The Quzhou delegation will show judges its renowned city brand: home of southern Confucianism and a model city of virtue in the upcoming finals.

Starting from 1997, the competition has awarded more than 100 cities in over 70 countries, including more than 20 Chinese cities, such as Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Dalian and Xiamen.