Changjiang Daily:

Of the water volume in the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, 70% originates from Shaanxi province. Shaanxi bears the important mission of sustaining a continuous flow of clean water to the north. What efforts has Shaanxi made in terms of water ecological environment protection and continuous improvement of the ecological environment? Thank you.

Zhao Gang:

Thank you for your interest in Shaanxi's ecological environment. I would like to invite Mr. Wang Haipeng to answer.

Wang Haipeng:

Shaanxi is a crucial water conservation area for the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, with 70% of the water consumed by the people in Beijing coming from Shaanxi. We prioritize the protection of the Hanjiang River and Danjiang River, safeguarding these crucial water sources through coordinated efforts. The idea of ensuring a continuous flow of clean water to the north has deeply resonated with the people of Shaanxi. Currently, the environment here can be characterized by "fish swimming in the shallows and harmony between humans and water." The population of crested ibis, which has extremely high requirements in terms of the quality of the ecological environment, has grown from just seven individuals to nearly 7,700 throughout the province. Shaanxi spans the Yangtze River and Yellow River basins, boasting abundant ecological elements, but is also highly vulnerable. Our entire province always keeps the grand vision of our nation in mind and strives to contribute to the overall ecological environment of the country.

Zhao Gang: 

We have preserved the three ecological shields, including the waterhead region of the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the Qinling Mountains and the Yellow River. Through systematic eco-environmental protection and restoration, we have focused on biodiversity conservation in the Qinling Mountains, achieving the highest levels of ecological quality, as Mr. Zhao just mentioned. We have also made significant efforts to protect the Yellow River, our mother river, by carefully managing its water resources. We have coordinated efforts between the upper and lower reaches, left and right banks, main and tributary streams, soil reinforcement and afforestation, source control and resource conservation, pollution control, sediment reduction, and water consumption reduction. Thanks to these endeavors, we have transformed the Weihe River, flowing over 500 kilometers across the Guanzhong Plain, into what is now called the most beautiful river in our homeland. The clear splashing waters at Hukou Waterfalls have become a spectacular sight.

We are making strenuous efforts in two fields. The first is pollution prevention and control. We focus on both substantially treating symptoms and addressing root causes through a holistic approach. Pooling the strengths of the entire province, we carried out a special action to control air pollution across our central region, or the Guanzhong area, achieving preliminary results. Now, you can enjoy a serene view of the Qinling Mountains from the Great Wild Goose Pagoda. We have ensured drinking water quality, eliminated murky and stinky waters, cleansed river and lake waters, and preserved sufficient ecological water. The province's water quality has continued to improve. We have also enhanced the safe utilization of polluted farmland and land for construction use, effectively managing soil-related environmental risks. The second field is the conservation and development of areas surrounding the bends of the Yellow River. We have made great efforts in the comprehensive management of the Mu Us Desert in the north, the desertified Baiyu Mountains, and soil erosion in the Loess Plateau, extending lush greenery 400 kilometers northward. We are promoting green transformation. We have made coordinated efforts to empower the central region with scientific and technological strengths, push energy transformation in the north, and boost green upgrading in the south, accelerating green and low-carbon transformation and development. By implementing these initiatives, we have realized the rapid expansion of industries such as photovoltaic energy, new energy passenger vehicles, and semiconductor and integrated circuits, with their output value surpassing 100 billion yuan each. We have continued to act on the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. Today, people in southern Shaanxi benefit from favorable ecological conditions.

Going forward, we will stay focused on taking a holistic and systematic approach to further deepening the protection and conservation of mountain, water, forest, farmland, grassland, and desert ecosystems. We will build a beautiful Shaanxi with a fresh look to contribute to the construction of a beautiful China. Thank you.