China will encourage medium-sized towns to adopt environmentally friendly policies to develop their economies, said experts at an ecological symposium in Beijing Sunday.

Organized by China Society of Territorial Economics (CSTE), a symposium on ecological construction in medium-sized towns was held here to enlist new laboratory zone of ecological construction.

Wuyuan, a small county in east China's Jiangxi Province, was recognized by CSTE as the new laboratory zone for its "unique mode" of economic development with its tourism income reaching 257 million yuan (30.96 million US dollars) in 2004 by developing ecological agriculture and closing up pollution industry.

Known as "the most beautiful county in China," Wuyuan has well preserved its natural environment while developing its economy.

With a population of 330,000, Wuyuan boasts 191 natural preservation zones with its forest coverage rate of 82 percent. Last year, it attracted 1.89 million visitors.

Experts attending the symposium described Wuyuan's experience as admirable, saying that it serves as a model role for the pursuit of clean and renewable economy.

The total number of medium-sized towns in China surpasses more than 50,000.

Many are plagued by plundering-style exploitation, leaving mountains torn apart and rivers poisoned.

This "kill the hen for the eggs" style development should be halted, said Chen Zhouqi, a veteran environmentalist from CSTE. "We definitely can find better way to use the rich heritage left by our ancestors."

Chen Deshou, an official with Wuyuan County, said that the aim to pursue environmental friendly policies is to "leave our green home strewn with tree and bamboo intact."

"To speed up economy and protect natural environment is not contradictory," said Chen. "It's complementary instead."