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E-mail China.org.cn, May 30, 2024
Thecover.cn:
Hubei has the longest stretch of the Yangtze River and is the core water source area for the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. Could you please brief us on Hubei's efforts to strengthen water security and water environment governance? Thank you.
Shao Xinyu:
As we know, Hubei is where General Secretary Xi Jinping set the guidelines for the development of the Yangtze Economic Belt. In recent years, we have earnestly implemented the important guideline of promoting well-coordinated environmental protection while preventing overdevelopment, leading to overall improvements in ecological conservation. Our efforts have mainly focused on the following aspects:
First, we are committed to keeping the Yangtze River and reservoir waters clean. We have prioritized restoring the ecological environment of the Yangtze River, launching 10 landmark campaigns to protect the Yangtze River and 10 programs to improve quality and effectiveness for six consecutive years. The water quality of the Hubei section of the Yangtze River's main channel has remained stable at Class II. The Danjiangkou Reservoir, known as "the well of the capital," provides over 70% of the residential water for urban Beijing. We coordinated the implementation of six major water environment governance programs in the reservoir, and its water quality has remained at Class II or above for 10 consecutive years, directly benefiting more than 100 million people along the reservoir.
Second, we are vigorously strengthening ecosystem protection and restoration. We have continued to combat pollution to achieve fundamental improvements in the ecological environment. We have made a tough decision to resolve the issue of the "chemical plants encircling the river." Through the measures of shutdowns, replacements, relocations, and transformations, we have eliminated chemical enterprises within a 1-kilometer range along the Yangtze River, transforming industrial shorelines into ecological shorelines. Hubei has led the country in implementing a five-level river and lake chief system and has strictly enforced the 10-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River. Fish resources and biodiversity have been well restored. Rare fish species such as Ochetobius elongatus and Coilia nasus, which had disappeared for many years, have reappeared in the Yangtze River. The population of waterbirds has increased by 4.9 times in the past five years. The beautiful scenes of clear waters with fish leaping and birds flying are now often seen.
Third, we are effectively promoting the mutual reinforcement of high-standard protection and high-quality development. We are committed to cultivating green momentum through green transformation and supporting high-quality development with high-level protection. For example, we have vigorously promoted the electrification, gasification, and hydrogenation of the Yangtze River, advancing the green development of Yangtze River shipping through new energy technologies. The independently developed Yangtze River Three Gorges 1 is the world's largest electric cruise ship in terms of battery capacity, achieving zero emissions, zero noise, and zero pollution. The market share of electric ship core power systems made in Hubei has reached 62%, ranking first in the country. We will continue to make sustained efforts to make Hubei's waters clearer, skies bluer, and lands cleaner, contributing to more sustainable development. Thank you.
Xie Yingjun:
The last question, please.
