China highlights 38 cases in Beautiful Rivers and Lakes project

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment on Tuesday released 38 exemplary cases under the Beautiful Rivers and Lakes project.

The cases showcase the efforts of local authorities to protect the environment, water resources and aquatic ecosystems, while maintaining a balanced relationship between people and water bodies.

Among these, the Qinghe River in Beijing and the Mangdao River in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, stand out for their focus on a coordinated approach to protecting water resources. These efforts aim to establish a new paradigm for preserving the aquatic environment.

In Xuancheng City, east China's Anhui Province, and Foshan City, south China's Guangdong Province, local authorities have transformed ecological advantages into economic benefits by exploring the value of ecological products. This has promoted high-quality development along Anhui's Qingyi River and Guangdong's Gaoming River.

Additionally, the Tongbo River, jointly governed by Chongqing Municipality and Sichuan Province in southwest China, is recognized for its integrated governance system that connects the upstream and downstream sections of the river.

This year, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced that 2,573 water bodies under national monitoring have been included in the Beautiful Rivers and Lakes project. It is estimated that 40 percent of these water bodies will meet the program's requirements by 2027, featuring clear waters, green banks and abundant aquatic life. Since the launch of the project in 2021, 94 outstanding cases have been highlighted.

(Cover: The Qinghe River, Beijing, China, November 12, 2024. /CFP)