Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province is given the title of International Garden City at the global finals of the 18th International Garden City Competition held in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, Dec 15. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province was given the title of International Garden City at the global finals of the 18th International Garden City Competition in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, on Dec 15.

The city also carried off the Special Award for Landscape Improvement, making it the first city to win two awards at the competition.

The competition is one of the highest international honors in city construction and the only global competition for living environment management, ecological construction, resources utilization and sustainable development, attracting nearly 100 cities from more than 30 countries to enter this year.

The Chinese city won the competition over more than 20 cities from 20 countries.

Quzhou is an ecological city with abundant resources and was included in the Top 10 Livable Cities in China for three consecutive years. It is renowned as China's "Oxygen Bar".

Quzhou is a cultural city with a history of more than 1,800 years, where historical relics are preserved, Confucian culture has been revitalized, 41 ethnic groups live together and various religions see prosperous development. All its parks and cultural facilities are also free to the public.

Winning the title marks a new milestone for Quzhou, said Wu Guosheng, head of the Quzhou delegation for the competition, following the announcement.

Wu added that Quzhou needs to continue advancing its sustainable development and build itself into a more beautiful, habitable and happier city.

Arab Hoballah, acting chairman of the International Garden City Competition committee, expressed his best wishes to Quzhou, hoping that the city maintains its beautiful natural environment.

Starting from 1997, the International Garden City Competition has given awards to more than 100 cities in over 70 countries. Previous winners include more than 20 Chinese cities, with Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Dalian and Xiamen being among them.