The city of Pu'er in Yunnan province has established the country's first pilot zone to develop a range of "green industries" that will feature low pollution - and high profit.

Mayor Qian Dewei said the pilot zone will support industries such as biomedicine, clean energy, forestry-related products and modern leisure and health.

"Low-emission and green industries already generate more than 90 percent of the economic activity of Pu'er, and the city wants to share the benefits and set an example for other cities," said Qian. "By 2016, the proportion is expected to increase to 95 percent."