International: Aug. 15 marks China`s fourth National Ecology Day, underscoring the country`s long-standing commitment to environmental protection as a fundamental pillar of its national development strategy. At the National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection held in July 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the need to sustain the fight against pollution and called for accelerating the implementation of three major action plans aimed at achieving bluer skies, cleaner water, and healthier soil.

Badong County in Hubei Province, the first destination along the Yangtze River within the province, serves as one of the region`s key ecological conservation areas and has been recognized as a "Beautiful China Tourism Destination." The 39-kilometre stretch of the Yangtze River passing through Badong plays a vital role in safeguarding water quality in Hubei. On July 30, a wastewater treatment facility modernization project, backed by an investment exceeding 40 million yuan, was launched at the Yingtuo Wastewater Treatment Plant, introducing a fully automated and digital treatment system.

In recent years, Hubei Province has adopted targeted, science-based, and law-based pollution control measures. By 2025, the province completed the rehabilitation of 12,480 sewage outfalls flowing into the Yangtze River ahead of schedule.

Water quality throughout the Hubei section of the Yangtze River and the Danjiangkou Reservoir has consistently remained at Class II or above, reflecting significant progress in the prevention and control of water pollution.

Over the past five years, Heilongjiang Province has implemented 262 ultra-low-emission transformation projects across its steel, cement, and coking industries, resulting in a reduction of 6.87 million tonnes of dispersed coal consumption.

Shandong Province has also strengthened efforts to prevent and control soil pollution. By 2025, it had achieved a 99.7 percent soil pollution risk management rate for land associated with closed or relocated industrial enterprises, while ensuring the safe utilization of all contaminated farmland.

In the field of integrated river and marine environmental management, Fujian Province has established seven nationally recognized beautiful rivers and lakes and nine national model scenic bays, ranking first in China under this evaluation system.

President Xi has emphasized the need to further optimize and modernize the industrial structure, fully leverage innovation as a driving force for development, and remain committed to the path of green development.

In line with this vision, Jinan Iron and Steel Group in Shandong Province began cooperation with the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2019 to support the country`s aerospace industry. The company now operates Shandong Province`s only satellite Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) production line approved by the National Development and Reform Commission, helping to integrate the aerospace, high-end equipment manufacturing, and advanced materials sectors into a modern and environmentally sustainable industrial system.

Xi Jinping has also called for accelerating the implementation of major ecological conservation and restoration projects and advancing the development of a nature conservation system centered on national parks.

Established in 2021, the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, spanning Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, is home to China`s largest—and only breeding—wild population of Siberian tigers and Amur leopards.

According to official statistics, approximately 60 percent of the world`s Korean pine forests are located in China, with more than half concentrated in the Lesser Khingan Mountains.

China`s sustained commitment to environmental protection demonstrates that green development is no longer merely an aspiration but an integral pathway to national development. By continuing its efforts to preserve blue skies, clean waters, and lush mountains, the country is striving to build a future where humanity and nature coexist in lasting harmony.

Source: Chai, Faisal and Shishir, China Media Group.