The State Council of China has unveiled a comprehensive white paper detailing a decade of advancements in marine ecological environment protection. This 27,000-word document outlines China's strategic efforts to combat ocean pollution, restore marine ecosystems, and promote a sustainable, low-carbon marine economy.
Over the past ten years, significant strides have been made in managing marine pollution. The white paper highlights an increase in the treatment rate of sanitary sewage across both urban and rural areas, coupled with stringent monitoring of sewage outlets to rivers and seas. Additionally, robust systems have been established to intercept, collect, transport, and dispose of ocean waste, demonstrating China's commitment to cleaner marine environments.
In the Bohai Sea, a pivotal sea area in northern China, 82.3% of coastal waters met the standards for good water quality in 2020, marking a 15.3% improvement since 2017. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of the implemented pollution control measures.
China has also meticulously divided its offshore regions into 283 bays, with 167 of these bays boasting over 85% of their areas classified as having good water quality. The resurgence of endangered species such as Bryde's whales, Chinese white dolphins, and black-faced spoonbills in these bays further signifies the positive impact of China's marine protection initiatives.
Looking ahead, the white paper emphasizes China's dedication to fostering international cooperation on marine protection, ensuring that efforts to preserve and enhance marine ecosystems continue to thrive both domestically and globally.
Reference(s):
China's white paper on marine protection: A summary of the last decade
cgtn.com
