The Paper:

Gansu is vast and of significant ecological importance, but its natural conditions are complex with the ecological environment being relatively fragile. My question is what measures has Gansu taken to promote ecological progress? How can it further solidify its ecological security barrier? Thank you.

Ren Zhenhe:

Thank you for your concern about the ecological progress in Gansu. I will let my colleague, Mr. Lei, answer this question.

Lei Siwei:

Thank you for your interest in Gansu's ecological civilization construction. Gansu has many ecological symbols, which can primarily be summarized by the elements of mountains, water and soil. The mountains refer to the Qilian Mountains, which nourishes the oases of the Hexi Corridor and blocks the convergence and southward invasion of the Tengger, Badain Jaran and Kumtag deserts. The water refers to the Yellow River, which originates in Qinghai and flows through Gansu, forming the world-renowned First Bend of the Yellow River in Maqu County, Gannan. The soil refers to the Loess Plateau, which covers one quarter of the province's area.

In recent years, Gansu has treated ecological and environmental protection as a paramount task, striving to create a beautiful and picturesque Gansu. We are dedicated to safeguarding the Yellow River. By fully implementing the national strategy for the Yellow River, we have initiated major ecological projects such as water source conservation, water and soil conservation, and water saving and conservancy. We have steadily advanced the integrated protection and restoration of mountain, water, forest, farmland, grassland, and desert ecosystems in the water source conservation area of the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Gannan. The water quality of the sections of the Yellow River flowing out of the province has remained at Class II for eight consecutive years. The beauty shared among the surrounding regions of the Yellow River basin has become a splendid calling card for Gansu Province. We are dedicated to protecting the green, ecological environment. By deeply learning from the lessons of ecological damage in the Qilian Mountains of Gansu, we remain constantly vigilant, ensuring we never forget past mistakes. We have established a mechanism for regular supervision and monitoring of protection across all domains. The vegetation index of the Qilian Mountains nature reserve has increased by 10.88%. Nearly 80% of Gansu's land area is included in the shelterbelt program in northeast, north, and northwest China. We are fully committed to fighting critical battles along the Hexi Corridor and the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, as well as the challenges posed by the Yellow River's Ji-shaped bend. The first batch of key projects under the shelterbelt program in northeast, north and northwest China have been launched, aiming to reclaim over 67% of treatable desertified land in the province by 2030. We are fully committed to one battle. We are taking further steps to prevent and control pollution, conducting clean air actions, taking more robust and comprehensive measures to improve river basins and water quality control, and implementing measures to prevent and control soil pollution at its source. The provincial capital of Gansu, Lanzhou, has evolved from a city once invisible from satellites to a city visible under the blue sky.

Gansu Province holds significant ecological importance, but its ecological foundation is also highly fragile. We will continue to carry forward the contemporary Yugong spirit of the three generations of "six old men" at Babusha Forest Farm, who dedicated themselves to afforestation and desert control. We treat the environment like it is our lives and protect the environment like we protect our eyes. We aim to make the skies bluer, the land greener, waters clearer and the mountains and rivers more beautiful across the Loess Plateau. By fortifying the ecological security barrier in western China, we strive to make Gansu into the "poetry and faraway place" that people aspire to.

Thank you.