The Yellow River, often hailed as China’s \"mother river\", is at the heart of the nation's ecological conservation efforts. Accounting for just two percent of China's river runoff, this vital waterway traverses nine provinces and autonomous regions, nourishing approximately 12 percent of the population, irrigating 15 percent of arable land, and supplying water to over 50 cities.
Despite its significance, the Yellow River basin faces significant environmental challenges. It has the largest proportion of water and soil loss compared to other major river basins in China. The ecology across the upper, middle, and lower reaches is particularly vulnerable to degradation, with restoration efforts proving extremely difficult and slow. Pollution continues to pose a major threat to the river's health.
In response to these challenges, Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken a proactive stance on ecological preservation. He held symposiums in 2019 and 2021, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to promote ecological protection and the high-quality development of the Yellow River. Xi stressed the importance of considering the unique conditions of the upper, middle, and lower reaches, acknowledging the Yellow River ecosystem as an interconnected whole.
Echoing President Xi's directives, China has implemented a series of practical measures aimed at safeguarding the river. These initiatives have yielded positive results, with water quality along the main stream showing continuous improvement. Additionally, biodiversity at both the source of the Yellow River and the Yellow River Delta is on the rise, indicating a rebound in the ecosystem’s health.
In a recent meeting convened in Lanzhou, the capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, President Xi reiterated his commitment to ecological conservation. He called for elevating ecological protection efforts across the entire river basin to new levels, achieving progress in green transformation, and enhancing the quality of life for the people in the region.
Reference(s):
China continues push for ecological conservation of Yellow River basin
cgtn.com
