Shou Xiaoli:

Two more journalists have their hands raised. These will be the last two questions.

National Business Daily:

In recent years, both the area and intensity of water and soil erosion in China have continued a downward trend. What measures have been taken in water and soil conservation and what plans do you have for the future? Thank you.

Chen Min:

I would like to invite Mr. Chen to answer your questions.

Chen Mingzhong:

Thank you for your interest in water and soil conservation. Last year, the general offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued opinions on strengthening water and soil conservation in the new era, clarifying relevant work requirements. Over the past year, the MWR has thoroughly implemented the opinions and requirements, and achieved remarkable results in conserving water and soil resources. As the reporter just mentioned, the achievements can be manifested in two sets of data in 2023. One is that the area of water and soil erosion decreased to 2.6276 million square kilometers, and the other is that the water and soil conservation rate jumped to 72.56%. Our efforts have played an important role in conserving water sources, reducing sediment and non-point source pollution, as well as boosting the carbon sink capacity of the ecosystem, while enriching the public's sense of gain, happiness and security.

Regarding the system and mechanism for water and soil protection, we have subdivided the targets of water and soil conservation rate between different counties, and established a four-level target system at the national, provincial, municipal and county levels. River basin authorities have established a mechanism for joint prevention, control and treatment of water and soil erosion. Twenty-seven provinces have established a mechanism of joint conferences on water and soil conservation. A network on water and soil protection has been established under the leadership of the Party committee, with the government taking charge, various departments working together, and the whole society participating. 

In terms of supervising human-induced water and soil loss, we have revised and issued measures for the management of water and soil conservation plans for production and construction projects. We have also issued relevant standards for spatial control of water and soil conservation, credit evaluation, and guidelines for the prevention and control of water and soil erosion in agricultural and forestry development activities. We promoted the establishment of a new regulatory mechanism with remote sensing supervision as the basic approach, key supervision as the supplement and credit supervision as the basis. We examined and approved 115,000 plans for water and soil conservation in production and construction projects in accordance with the law. Additionally, 13,300 illegal projects were investigated and handled according to the law, and 1,345 were dealt with through filing cases. New human-induced soil erosion has been effectively controlled.

In terms of key areas for soil erosion control, the focus is on the upper and middle reaches of major rivers, the black soil region of northeast China, and the karst areas of southwest China. Using small watersheds as units, we've implemented comprehensive and systematic management. This has effectively improved the prevention and control of soil erosion in key areas covering 32,000 square kilometers, creating 505 eco-friendly small watersheds. This has enriched agricultural production conditions and the rural living environment, and increased the supply of high-quality ecosystem goods and services.

Regarding the improvement of management capabilities and standards, a comprehensive and coordinated system of soil and water conservation planning at the national, basin and provincial levels has been improved. We have been accelerating the construction of a reasonably structured and fully functional soil and water conservation monitoring system. New breakthroughs have also been made to realize the market value of ecosystem goods and services from soil and water conservation. As Mr. Chen mentioned, successful carbon-sink trading was conducted at the soil and water conservation project in Changting, Fujian province. Meanwhile, a successful contract was signed to convert the market value of ecosystem goods and services from soil and water conservation in Anji, Zhejiang province. The policies and systems for carbon absorption standards and realizing the market value of ecosystem goods and services are gradually improving. Further efforts have been made to strengthen the academic discipline construction, monitoring,, promotion of information technology, and standard system work related to soil and water conservation.

In the next step, the MWR will fully implement the relevant decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee and the State Council. We will focus on prevention and protection to control new issues, comprehensive treatment to reduce existing problems, and strengthened management to improve quality. These efforts aim to enhance soil and water conservation and increase the supply of ecosystem goods and services, supporting harmony between humanity and nature.

Thank you.