China’s “mother river,” the Yellow River, is witnessing a renewed commitment to ecological conservation and high-quality development. Spanning nine provinces and autonomous regions, the river is a lifeline that feeds about 12 percent of China’s population, irrigates approximately 15 percent of its arable land, and supplies water to more than 50 cities.
Despite accounting for only two percent of China’s river runoff, the Yellow River basin faces significant environmental challenges. It has the largest proportion of water and soil loss among China’s major river basins. The ecology across its upper, middle, and lower reaches has been prone to degradation, with restoration efforts facing considerable difficulties due to pollution and slow natural recovery processes.
Recognizing the urgent need for action, Chinese President Xi Jinping convened symposiums in 2019 and 2021, calling for concerted efforts to promote ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River. He emphasized the necessity of considering the unique characteristics of each segment of the river, acknowledging that the Yellow River ecosystem is an interconnected whole.
Echoing President Xi’s directives, China has implemented a series of practical measures aimed at revitalizing the river’s health. These initiatives have led to continuous improvements in water quality along the main stream of the river. Additionally, biodiversity at the source of the Yellow River and in the Yellow River Delta has shown notable enhancement.
In a recent meeting held on Thursday in Lanzhou, the capital of northwest China’s Gansu Province, President Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, reiterated the importance of advancing ecological protection across the entire river basin. He called for elevating conservation efforts to a new level, achieving progress in green transformation, and bringing tangible improvements to the lives of the people dependent on the Yellow River.
The continued focus on the Yellow River’s ecological conservation reflects China’s broader commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. As efforts intensify, the “mother river” is poised to regain its vitality, ensuring it continues to nourish the land and its people for generations to come.
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China continues push for ecological conservation of Yellow River basin
cgtn.com
