China has successfully maintained its total wetland area at over 56.35 million hectares, showcasing a steadfast commitment to environmental conservation and ecological restoration. According to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, over 3,700 protection and restoration projects have been implemented, adding or restoring more than 1 million hectares of wetlands across the country.
With the establishment of more than 2,200 wetland nature reserves, the ecological conditions of key wetland areas have significantly improved. These efforts underscore China's dedication to preserving its rich biodiversity and natural habitats.
In recent years, China has strengthened its legal framework for wetland protection and conducted comprehensive monitoring of forests, grasslands, and wetlands. A special mangrove conservation and restoration initiative has accelerated, resulting in the addition of 8,800 hectares and the restoration of 8,200 hectares of mangroves over the past five years.
The country's total mangrove area now stands at 30,300 hectares—an increase of 8,300 hectares since the early 2000s—making China one of the few countries globally to achieve a net gain in mangrove forests.
Additionally, significant progress has been made in preventing invasive species from threatening wetland ecosystems. By the end of 2024, China had controlled Spartina alterniflora across 73,300 hectares, completing 89.4 percent of its target and successfully curbing its uncontrolled spread.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China's national wetland park system. Over the past two decades, 903 national wetland parks have been created, protecting 2.4 million hectares of wetlands and contributing over 50 billion yuan (about $7.0 billion) to regional economic growth. Approximately 90 percent of these parks are open to the public free of charge, promoting public engagement with nature and environmental awareness.
Sunday marks the 29th World Wetlands Day, with this year's theme being \"Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,\" highlighting the importance of wetland conservation for a sustainable future.
