Phoenix TV:

At the beginning of this year, images of a flock of Eurasian spoonbill foraging on the mud flat were captured by netizens in Beihaicity, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. This wild species, dubbed "a beauty among birds," is under second-class state protection. They have become a beautiful scenic element between the blue sea and sky of Guangxi. My question is: what efforts has Guangxi made in advancing ecological civilization? Thank you.

Lan Tianli:

Thank you for your question. This question will be answered by Xu Yongke, executive vice chairman of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Xu Yongke:

Thanks for your question. The beautiful scenery you mentioned is a vivid reflection of the ever-present green mountains, clear waters, fresh air and pleasant living environments in Guangxi, also the land of Bagui. Guangxi's ecological strengths can never be traded for gold. It serves as an important ecological screen in southern China, and is one of the global biodiversity hotspots. We have firmly adhered to the philosophy of green development as well as formulated and implemented regulations on promoting ecological conservation and other local regulations, so as to better protect mountains and waters in Guangxi, promote the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development and accelerate work to build a beautiful Guangxi and strengthen Guangxi's ecological conservation. 

On the one hand, we have continued to highlight our strengths in natural beauty and good ecology. The Lijiang River is the soul of Guilin's landscape, which is globally renowned as a  calling card for China's tourism. We have formulated the Regulations on the Lijiang River Basin Environmental Protection, set up Lijiang River Protection Day and have regularly released the Lijiang River Ecological Environment Quality Report and the Lijiang River Environmental Index Report. In addition, we have implemented ecological conservation for the Lijiang River based on the rule of law as well as promoted Guilin's application for the United Nations Environment Programme's Champions of the Earth award and the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize. The Lijiang River was selected into the first batch cases of "Beautiful Rivers and Lakes" in China. Comprehensive environmental improvement work in the Lijiang River basin has been recognized as a positive model for achieving solid results from inspections and rectifications. We have continued efforts to keep the skies blue, waters clear and lands clean, coordinately taking a holistic and systematic approach to the protection and conservation of mountain, water, forest, farmland, grassland, sea and wetland ecosystems. The quality of the ecological environment in the autonomous region has maintained a leading position in the country. In recent years, new species such as the Nidirana guibeiensis , Oreonectes andongensis and Prunus quanzhouensis have been discovered in Guangxi one after another. Bryde's whales, a rare species, have been spotted swimming freely in waters near Weizhou Island, making a new tourist hotspot in Beihai. Meanwhile, Chinese white dolphins and mangroves have become salient features of Qinzhou. Together with the area's large-scale industry, this demonstrates harmony between humanity and nature.

On the other hand, we are striving to broaden the development path of transforming lucid waters and lush mountains into invaluable assets. We stick to the dual-pathway approach of developing green industries and transforming industries toward green development, vigorously boosting industries such as forestry, cultural tourism, elderly care and comprehensive health care services in order to turn ecological strengths into developmental strengths. In 2023, Guangxi successfully hosted the first World Forestry Industry Conference. The total output value of the forestry and grassland industry reached nearly one trillion yuan, with every two pieces of domestically produced timber coming from Guangxi. The total investment funds for projects within the green and environmentally friendly industrial chain reached nearly 300 billion yuan, with 347 new projects signed and 112.9 billion yuan in available funds, aiming to achieve high-quality development through green transition. For example, Yangshuo county allocates 10% of its annual revenue from the Lijiang River and Yulong River scenic areas to 35,000 villagers along the rivers, allowing everyone to share in benefits from ecological dividend. The concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" has taken root and borne fruit in Guangxi.

Thank you.