Beijing, August 13: National Ecology Day, celebrated on August 15, serves as a vital opportunity to understand China’s ecological civilization efforts. It also provides insight into China’s participation in global environmental governance and its commitment to promoting harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
Today, the world faces escalating challenges from climate change, rapid biodiversity loss, and severe ecological degradation. In this context, China’s ongoing green initiatives and measurable ecological results are stabilizing global sustainable development.
Over the years, China has systematically improved its ecological systems through long-term investments and scientific management, achieving numerous globally recognized milestones. Once a desert area, the Saihapa region has transformed into over 1.15 million mu (approximately 76,667 hectares) of artificial forest due to decades of afforestation, absorbing more than 860,000 tons of carbon annually. This achievement earned it the United Nations’ “Earth Champion Award,” setting a standard for global ecological restoration.
Statistics indicate that China’s forest cover has surpassed 25%, contributing to a quarter of new green areas globally, making it one of the fastest-growing countries in vegetation recovery.
China’s practices in water management and biodiversity conservation have also been notably effective. Following a ten-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River, the water quality has consistently remained at a good level for five consecutive years, and the critically endangered Yangtze dolphin has been sighted in several locations.
Currently, over 90% of terrestrial ecological systems and 74% of major wildlife species in China are effectively protected, with ecological security measures continually strengthening.
Moreover, China actively participates in and leads global ecological governance with an open approach. As the president country for the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), China has encouraged all parties to adopt the historic “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” which outlines an action plan for global biodiversity conservation. It has also established a 1.5 billion yuan Kunming Biodiversity Fund to assist developing countries in ecological restoration efforts.
Additionally, advanced models like the Kubuqi Desert management technology and experience have already been exported internationally, providing replicable and scalable Chinese solutions for global desertified areas. Through the green “Belt and Road” cooperation platform, China continues to share low-carbon technologies and ecological management experiences, aiding many countries in their green transitions.
Ecological conservation is a shared responsibility for all humanity. National Ecology Day reaffirms that development and conservation can coexist, and it is possible to achieve mutual benefits from economic growth and ecological civilization. In the future, China will continue on its path of green development, working collaboratively with all nations to protect the Earth and elevate global ecological governance to new heights.
(Source: China Media Group, Beijing)
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