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Shenzhen, Hong Kong jointly conserve mangrove wetlands

CGTN

In the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve in Shenzhen and the Mai Po Nature Reserve in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) jointly safeguard a vibrant expanse of mangrove wetlands.

Mangroves in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, south China, November 11, 2022. /VCG
Mangroves in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, south China, November 11, 2022. /VCG

Mangroves in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, south China, November 11, 2022. /VCG

These wetlands are ecologically linked and serve as an internationally important overwintering site and refueling station for waterbirds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

In February 2023, Shenzhen's Futian mangrove was designated as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Together with Mai Po, Shenzhen Bay now hosts two internationally recognized wetlands.

Mangroves protect coastlines from erosion, support biodiversity and serve as vital nesting areas for birds.

"Mangroves are unique and complex ecosystems, often difficult for humans to access. Their dense canopy provides birds with quiet, undisturbed nesting areas," said Simon Wong, nature officer at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the HKSAR government.

Additionally, mangroves sequester carbon, mitigate climate change and help filter pollutants.

Mangroves at the Yundang Lake in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, southeast China, February 3, 2024. /VCG
Mangroves at the Yundang Lake in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, southeast China, February 3, 2024. /VCG

Mangroves at the Yundang Lake in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, southeast China, February 3, 2024. /VCG

The wetlands of Futian and Mai Po not only support rich biodiversity but also symbolize the close cooperation between Shenzhen and the HKSAR in ecological conservation.

Since signing a framework arrangement for the conservation of Shenzhen Bay wetlands in January 2023, the two cities have collaborated on ecological baseline monitoring, waterbird surveys and environmental education.

"The Shenzhen Bay is essentially a shared wetland between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Despite being separated by the Shenzhen River, the ecosystem remains consistent," said Yang Qiong, a senior engineer at Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve Administration Bureau.

Black-faced spoonbills forage in Shenzhen Bay, Guangdong Province, south China, January 1, 2021. /VCG
Black-faced spoonbills forage in Shenzhen Bay, Guangdong Province, south China, January 1, 2021. /VCG

Black-faced spoonbills forage in Shenzhen Bay, Guangdong Province, south China, January 1, 2021. /VCG

The black-faced spoonbill, one of China's top protected animals, has seen a remarkable population recovery, growing from fewer than 300 individuals in the 1990s to 6,988 counted globally in January 2024. To monitor their numbers, Shenzhen and the HKSAR conduct synchronized surveys and use AI-powered monitoring technology to minimize disturbance.

On November 6, 2024, an agreement was signed to establish the International Mangrove Center in Shenzhen, marking the beginning of deeper cross-border wetland conservation efforts.

This platform aims to enhance cooperation in science, technology and resource management, promoting wetland protection in the Greater Bay Area and beyond. The collaborative model in Shenzhen Bay could serve as a global example for joint conservation initiatives.

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(Cover: Mangroves in the Mai Po Nature Reserve in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, June 23, 2024. /VCG)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency
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