'Blue is the new green' in Xiamen

By Sun Tianyuan, Bao Hongwei, Han Yueyue

Blue is the new green in Xiamen, a port city in southeast China’s Fujian Province. The “Garden City,” known for its beautiful sea views, sandy shores and green spaces, has earned its reputation through decades of environmental efforts against pollution and degradation.

Yundang Lake is a landmark green area in the city, and a prime example of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Nearly 90 bird species live in the urban wetlands by Yundang Lake, a thriving environment for diverse forms of life. 

However, locals say that in the early 1980s, the water was foul-smelling, full of garbage and poisoned by heavy pollution.

“It used to be unbearable to walk near the lake. The water was dark, and it stank. There weren’t many birds either,” a Xiamen resident told CGTN.

Change began in 1988, when Xiamen’s then vice mayor, Xi Jinping – now the Chinese president – rolled out a plan to restore Yundang Lake. The city then introduced a raft of regulations, shutting down dozens of polluting enterprises.

Local residents also played a key role, taking charge of the management of the lake. Chen Yajin says he’s found a sense of purpose in retirement – he’s in charge of overseeing the water quality.

“We inspect the lake and report issues to authorities. They attach great importance to our opinions and provide timely solutions to the issues that we flag. I think the experience has set a good example for other districts in Xiamen,” said the lake’s civic leader.

And a growing number of locals and tourists have been flocking to the area to enjoy the beautiful scenery, as the waters improve year after year.

“My friend and I often hang out at the park, where we stroll, dance and sing. We are grateful to the government for creating such a beautiful environment,” said a female resident.

“It’s like our backyard,” said another resident who lives near the lake. She loves walking alongside the water with her grandson.

The restoration of Yundang Lake has set a clear example for other Chinese cities to follow. China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment says other parts of the world could also learn from the drastic changes that have taken shape there.

“The management of Yundang Lake is a signature of Xiamen’s success. The landmark achievements have gained national influence, along with a global reputation,” said Yu Hai, deputy director of the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, adding, “It could provide Chinese wisdom and solutions to solve global issues that require ecological and environmental management in coastal cities.”

Since 1984, the renovation of Yundang Lake has gone through five phases, with investment totaling some 2 billion yuan (US$270 million). Xiamen has also made progress in protecting mangroves, one of the most important yet fragile ecosystems between the land and the sea.

Mangroves are a natural buffer zone against marine disasters such as typhoons. They can help purify sea water and store carbon. These plants are also home to many marine creatures. For birds, they are like a giant, lush welcome mat on the edge of the sea.

Xiamen began its first mangrove restoration project in 2005. Over the years, 85 hectares of mangroves have been planted in Xiatanwei. It’s now the largest recreated mangrove park in Fujian Province.

“We’ve noticed a significant improvement in biodiversity. Take birds for example. There are about 60 to 70 species in Xiatanwei now, whereas before the restoration, there were only 20 to 30,” said Yang Shengchang, deputy professor at Xiamen University’s College of the Environment and Ecology.

“As mangroves face the risk of global decline, China remains one of the few countries where the forest area has increased in the past two decades,” said Yang, adding: “China has accumulated a lot of experience in mangrove restoration, with measures such as scientific planting, according to local and natural conditions. It could provide some good experience for other countries.”

“There have been tremendous achievements made in China over the last 20 years regarding water quality, especially the restoration of the rivers, lakes and the coastal areas. The magnitude of the effort in China is really massive, said Professor Philippe Gourbesville from the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research.

“It’s also a very nice demonstration that, with the right willingness and the right strategy, these things can be achieved,” said Gourbesville.

As the city’s marine environment continues to improve, it has attracted more sea creatures to settle in the area, including some of the rarest animals on the planet. Chinese white dolphins are a rare species known as “giant pandas of the seas,” and there are currently around 80 white dolphins in the waters off Xiamen.

The Huoshaoyu Chinese White Dolphin Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is located in the heart of Xiamen's western waters. The facility officially opened in 2011 and has been providing a safe haven for injured and stranded dolphins ever since.

“Through our rescue program, we can conduct studies and prepare for the future breeding of Chinese white dolphins. We’re also working closely with teams from Southeast Asia to find ways to preserve these endangered animals,” said Cai Libo, director of the Xiamen Chinese White Dolphin and Amphioxus Nature Reserve Affairs Center.

“Thanks to Xiamen’s ecological restoration, it has broadened the natural habitat of Chinese white dolphins and improved their living conditions,” Cai told CGTN.

Xiamen has made remarkable progress in environmental protection in recent decades, and the campaign continues. It’s set to provide more people and animals with a greener future – a future where they live in harmony on this blue planet they both call home.