China builds world's largest ecological monitoring network

China has established the world's largest ecological and environmental monitoring network during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), an official with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said at a press conference on Friday.

The monitoring network, directly organized by the ministry, spans over 33,000 monitoring stations, covering all cities at the prefecture level and above, key river basins, and jurisdictional seas nationwide. It monitors a variety of environmental elements, including water, air, soil and noise pollution, said Huang Runqiu, minister of ecology and environment.

Facing a higher demand for precision, comprehensiveness and timeliness in environmental data, the ministry has utilized cutting-edge technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing to promote the digital and intelligent transformation of the monitoring network, said Huang.

The entire process from sample collection and sample delivery to analysis and testing is now automatic. In the monitoring of surface water, for instance, drones are now used to automatically collect samples, reducing the time required for sampling by over 70 percent, Huang said, adding that the technology proves particularly beneficial in remote or difficult-to-reach regions.

The monitoring facilities have also undergone upgrades. Automatic monitoring stations for water and air, with intelligent diagnostic and maintenance systems for instruments, have enhanced the efficiency and reliability of the equipment.

Meanwhile, the application of AI-based technologies enables smart recognition, analysis and screening of environmental issues. For example, AI-powered sound recognition can quickly determine whether the noise pollution is coming from construction sites, traffic or other social activities, offering more targeted solutions for controlling noise and reducing its impact on residents.