As China marks the 20th anniversary of its "two mountains" concept—emphasizing that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets"—a groundbreaking documentary series has launched to showcase the nation's ecological progress. Titled Lucid Waters, Green Mountains: China's Answers, the 20-episode program spotlights cities and regions transforming sustainability from theory into practice.
From Zhejiang's Huzhou to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region's Hotan, the series explores how 20 locations have balanced economic growth with environmental protection. Through vivid storytelling, viewers witness Chengdu's urban green corridors, Qinghai Lake's biodiversity conservation, and Xiamen's coastal restoration projects. Each episode combines aerial footage of revitalized landscapes with grassroots stories of farmers, engineers, and policymakers driving change.
"This isn't just about policies—it's about people redefining their relationship with nature," explains one academic contributor in the series. Experts from ecology, economics, and urban planning provide context, revealing how initiatives like Tianjin's circular industrial parks and Shiyan's green automotive hubs align with national carbon neutrality goals.
The timing is strategic: Premier Li Qiang recently emphasized ecological civilization as a "pillar" of China's modernization. By profiling cities that turned mining wastelands into wetlands and desert frontiers into solar farms, the series aims to inspire public participation in green lifestyles while offering actionable models for global developing regions.
Lucid Waters, Green Mountains premieres August 15 on CCTV-1, coinciding with National Ecological Day—a symbolic nod to China's evolving environmental narrative.
