An aerial view of Donghai town in Qidong, a county-level city in East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: qdrmt0513]

Donghai town in Qidong, a county-level city in East China's Jiangsu province, is blessed with a long coastline and vast tidal flats, where windmills and photovoltaic panels harness clean energy from nature.

The intertidal zone is no longer barren, but thriving with aquaculture. Farmers release fish fry into the sea, not only making fishing easier, but also reaping a bounty of shellfish. Some of them also raise crabs, shrimp and clams in ponds, leading to a rich reward when harvest season comes.

Donghai town is also a pioneer in aquatic product research and development, spending millions of yuan every year. One of its achievements is the red clam, a high-quality variety that is tender, juicy and fragrant, with a bright red and glossy appearance. It is nicknamed "the rose date" and has been featured on China Central Television.

By developing its coastal and tidal flat resources, Donghai town produces more than 6,000 metric tons of aquatic products annually, with an output value of nearly 200 million yuan ($28.04 million). It also helps more than 1,000 farmers live a prosperous life and contributes to rural vitalization.