A view of the Fen River in early spring.

Taiyuan is a large industrial base, with heavy industry (notably iron and steel) of prime importance, and local coal production is considerable. It has made a significant contribution to the economic development of China. At the same time, the city has paid the price for its development. Environmental problems such as pollution, soil erosion and ground subsidence have emerged.

People finally came to understand the importance of environmental protection after Taiyuan was listed as the most heavily polluted city in China and called "the inhospitable city". They understood that it is pollution rather than weather that makes blue skies and stars disappear. Development shouldn't be achieved at the expense of the environment. Liang felt a sense of guilt, and became determined to return blue skies and stars to Taiyuan.

Long Tan Park in Taiyuan.

Industrial pollution is a focus in Taiyuan, in China and throughout the rest of the world. The municipal authorities of Taiyuan decided to make a real effort to change the situation. A series of measures have been implemented to construct a "green economy", including re-adjusting and optimizing the industrial structure, developing new pillar industries such as the tourist industry and new materials and manufacturing industries, and closing heavy-polluting factories. Liang was appointed as chief of the city's Bureau of Environmental Protection. "All I think about is how to improve the environment of Taiyuan," Liang said. It is certainly a challenging task.