Colorful and spectacular lighting and fountain display at the Quancheng Square in Jinan, East China's Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The third Conference of the International City Alliance of Springs Cultural Landscape opened on Sept 5 in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, gathering more than 20 delegations from the world's natural spring cities to share their insights into the protection and utility of spring culture and related issues.

Sun Shutao, mayor of Jinan, delivered a keynote speech during the opening ceremony.

"Jinan has long been known as ‘Spring City’ because it has over 700 natural springs. Springs have been the root, soul as well as card name for Jinan," said Sun.

Sun introduced the Jinan government's sustained efforts to protect and promote the city's spring culture, as well as the city's measures on water ecology conservation.

According to Sun, the city has scheduled more than 30 spring themed activities annually since 2013, such as the spring food festival and the dragon boat race on Daming Lake, the city's iconic landmark which is fed by the area's artesian karst springs.

In addition, the city has also established a spring culture museum, rehabilitated more than 100 spring scenic resorts and set up over 100 spring water supply points to benefit local residents and tourists.

"In recent years we have worked hard to apply for 'UN World Cultural Heritage' status so as to raise the city's international profile and better protect its unique spring cultural landscape.”

Sacramento Council member Jeff Harris gave a speech on his city's water conservation and sustainable development policy.

Paisarn Surathamvit, secretary to the mayor of Chiangmai city municipality, also gave a speech on related issues.

Focusing on "Cities and Springs", the three day event welcomes delegations from 19 spring cities from the UK, the United States, Germany, Finland, Italy, Greece, Russia and South Korea and includes a forum on the International City Alliance of Springs Cultural Landscape as well as a conference for mayors of alliance cities.

The third Conference of the International City Alliance of Springs Cultural Landscape opens on Sept 5 in Jinan, capital of Shandong province. [Photo/dingdongfm.com]

Delegations from the world's spring cities share their insights into the protection and utility of spring culture and related issues at the conference.[Photo/dingdongfm.com]