Jinan Times APP: 

The Yellow River is one of the mother rivers of the Chinese nation, and Henan province holds a crucial position in the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin. What measures has Henan taken to protect the Yellow River? What are the next steps? Thank you.

Sun Shougang:

Thank you for your question. In 2019, General Secretary Xi Jinping chaired a symposium in Zhengzhou and urged continuous efforts to ensure the Yellow River benefit the people . Ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin have since become a major national strategy. Over the past five years, Henan has pursued the strategic direction of "working together to protect and harness the Yellow River," achieving significant progress in ecological protection of the river. I will summarize our efforts with several keywords.

The first keyword is "tranquility." "With the Yellow River being calm, peace reigns throughout the land." We have constructed 501 kilometers of standardized embankments, completed 98 control and diversion projects, and resettled 300,000 residents from the Yellow River flood plain. Additionally, we have digitized Yellow River management, implementing intelligent prewarning systems and precise scheduling, coordinating flood control and prevention measures in upstream and downstream areas, on both banks and along main and tributary channels, efficiently handling various risks. In 2021, we successfully fought off the most severe autumn flood in the Yellow River since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), ensuring the safety of people's lives and property and the long-term stability of the river.

The second keyword is "water quality." We actively promote the protection and governance of water environments in the main trunk and tributaries of the Yellow River, intensifying efforts to address pollution sources. Currently, 94% of the river's nationally monitored sections in Henan reported water quality of above Class III, and the quality of Yellow River water entering Shandong remains above Class II, achieving the effect of "the Yellow River flowing through the Central Plains region and winding its way into the ocean with much cleaner water."

The third keyword is "green." We have led the way in completing ultra-low emission transformations of enterprises in key industries in the basin, establishing 185 green factories at or above the provincial level and 13 green industrial parks. In 2023, energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of industrial value-added decreased by 23.5% from 2019, and water consumption decreased by 40.8% compared to 2020. This resulted in a more robust green orientation in industry and significantly improved resource and energy utilization efficiency.

The fourth keyword is "beautiful." Through the implementation of ecological protection and restoration projects, we have built over 1,200 kilometers of ecological corridors along the Yellow River, afforested more than 4.6 million mu of land, and controlled water and soil erosion over an area of 9,600 square kilometers. With the improvement of the environment, this area has become an important wintering ground for the whooper swan s, and rare species such as the Baer's pochard , known as the "giant panda of birds," breed and inhabit here. Currently, the Henan section of the Yellow River offers enchanting sights of an abundance of spring blossoms and picturesque scenery. We welcome everyone to take a road trip along the Yellow River No.1 Tourist Highway to experience the magnificent spectacle of the Yellow River.

Next, we will prioritize ecological protection and green development, continuing our efforts to protect the "Mother River." We will focus on ecological sustainability, promote Yellow River culture, develop digital management systems, and create a river that enhances people's well-being. This will allow people along the Yellow River to share more benefits and enjoy its beauty. We aim to share the stories of the Yellow River in the new era and demonstrate Henan's greater responsibility. Thank you!