Counties are basic units of Chinese civilization, and the exploration and transformation of their cultural genes are becoming a key driver of differentiated economic development across China's counties, a think tank report said.

The report, titled "New Era County Economics," was released on Friday by Xinhua Institute, a national-level think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, at the Belt and Road Forum for International Think Tank Cooperation held in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.

Citing counties' close urban-rural linkages, moderate geographic scope and strong cultural homogeneity, the report noted that New Era County Economics emphasizes transforming cultural resources into developmental momentum -- revitalizing traditional cultural veins, innovating cultural business forms, and building integrated urban-rural communities.

Moreover, the vision of cities integrated into nature, allowing residents to enjoy landscapes and retain hometown love, reflects not only an intrinsic cultural and spiritual aspiration, but also a strategic response to the rising demand for "counter-urbanization," which redefines the value of rural areas, according to the report.

The document also highlights integrating ecological governance with the development of industries with local features, which enables rural areas to preserve their idyllic landscapes while transforming lucid waters and lush mountains into invaluable assets.

China's county-level development has broken away from the Western approach of "polluting first, clearing up later," offering a sustainable path forward for future generations and humanity at large, the report said, adding that it represents a significant contribution from China to global development.