China ranked as the world's 10th most beautiful country. (Photo : Reuters)
China was included in the world's 10 most beautiful countries, according to a report issued on Dec. 20 at the Beijing-based Tsinghua University.
According to a China Daily article, China ranks 10th among the 185 listed countries in the 2015 Global Beautiful Countries Development Report. The study valued the countries by a comprehensive index covering 39 aspects such as economy, ecology, politics and society.
America topped the list with a score of 73.16, while Germany and France placed second and third with 65.31 and 63.19 points.
For Dr. Li Shidong, the head of the study, "wealth should not be the only index to evaluate a country's development path, and economic output should not be the only aim of development."
"A beautiful country should be valued in terms of politics, economy, society, culture and ecology. We hope that this comprehensive index could be a reference for a country in designing a sound development path," Li said.
Though China made it to the top 10, the study showed that the country's ecology index was only 37.51, ranking 85th in the list.
According to the report, the country's national average of PM10 index was 82.436 micrograms per cubic meter, reflecting China's continued issue of pollution.
The report then suggested that China should take actions by transforming its economic development mode and raising its eco-protection awareness across the country.
"It is hoped that the evaluation mode of Beautiful Countries could help countries around the world to design a more development path. Adjusted, the index could also be applied in provincial evaluations," Li added.
The project was carried out by experts from Tsinghua University, Beijing Forestry University and China's State Forestry Administration.
Completing the top 10 most beautiful countries are Russia, Britain, Canada, Spain, Italy and Australia.
