China is actively investing in major projects to meet the demands for land use, mineral, and marine resources, the Ministry of Natural Resources announced on Wednesday.

During a regular press conference, officials from the ministry briefed reporters on the country's efforts to ensure resource security and support the country's economic growth in the first quarter of 2023.

According to Xie Chengxiang, director of the ministry's General Office, the ministry approved more projects in mineral and marine resources compared with the same period last year. Especially in land use, the ministry approved 739,000 mu (about 49,267 hectares) of land for various projects, representing a 51.7 percent increase compared with the same period last year.

Du Guanyin, director of the ministry's Office of General Affairs, reiterated the country's resolve in green development and ecological conservation by announcing a "red line" of 3.15 million square kilometers of territories to be under ecological protection by 2022, including 3 million square kilometers of land and 150,000 square kilometers of sea.

Two reports were also released at the press conference: one on China's oceanic natural disasters and the other on the country's sea levels. The reports show that the country is facing a growing threat from natural disasters involving the ocean, such as storm surges, floods, sea water invasion, coastal erosion, etc. At the same time, China's sea levels remain high, as the year 2022 registered the highest since 1980.

To celebrate World Earth Day on April 22, the ministry has planned a series of activities to recognize its endeavors and achievements in ecological restoration and protection.

(Cover images via VCG)

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