The Yangtze River, the mother river of the Chinese nation, originates from the roof of the world, passes through high mountains and canyons, and flows into the sea, nourishing the long-standing Chinese civilization and nurturing hardworking and brave Chinese children.
Nantong, Jiangsu, is a pearl by the river.
Standing in the riverside area of the Five Mountains region, one can overlook the vast and fragrant river water. The Five Mountains stand by the river, with lush and lush riverbanks.
"The dirty and messy places in the past have now become the green belts of parks, which is truly a tremendous change!"
For more than 40 years, the rolling Yangtze River has witnessed the rapid changes of the Chinese land day and night.
Develop and prosper along the river. Since the reform and opening up, the economic development along the Yangtze River has achieved tremendous success, but it has also paid a price in terms of ecology——
The factory wastewater flows horizontally, the sand and gravel splashes at the dock, and the water quality continues to deteriorate. The Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake, known as the "twin kidneys" of the Yangtze River, have experienced frequent droughts, with nearly 30% of important lakes and reservoirs experiencing eutrophication. The biological integrity index of the Yangtze River has reached the worst "fish free" level.
Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Lan Hongguang
In January 2016, the symposium on promoting the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt was held in Chongqing.
Keeping in mind important instructions, provinces and relevant departments along the Yangtze River are making efforts to promote the protection and restoration of the Yangtze River's ecological environment, promote transformation and development, with unprecedented intensity, wide scale, and profound impact.
Thousands of chemical enterprises are closing, renovating, relocating, and transferring; Accelerate the filling of gaps in the treatment of urban sewage and garbage, chemical pollution, agricultural non-point source pollution, and ship pollution
Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi
"To cure the disease of the Yangtze River, it is still necessary to use the methods of traditional Chinese medicine, trace the root cause, classify and implement policies. Conduct a comprehensive ecological survey, systematically sort out hidden dangers and risks, and conduct a major physical examination of the Mother River. dispel wind and dispel cold, promote blood circulation, and unblock meridians and meridians. This not only treats the existing disease but also prevents it, allowing the Mother River to maintain vitality forever."
"We will never allow the ecological environment of the Yangtze River to continue to deteriorate in the hands of our generation. We must leave a clean and beautiful Yangtze River for future generations!"
The act of reciting is only for the rejuvenation of the great river.
Photo by Ju Peng, journalist from Xinhua News Agency
In 2016, upstream Chongqing; In 2018, midstream Wuhan;
Important instructions are firm and clear time and time again:
In 2016, in Qinghai, it was emphasized that "we must shoulder the major responsibility of protecting the Three Rivers Source and the 'Chinese Water Tower'"; In 2020, in Anhui, emphasis was placed on "protecting the ecology well and leveraging ecological advantages"; In 2021, in Guizhou, we warned that "one should not disappoint the mountains, and the mountains will not disappoint the people."; In 2022, in Sichuan, we urged to "build a strong ecological barrier in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and protect the clear water of this river"; Going to Sichuan again in 2023, emphasizing the need to do a good job in the construction of ecological civilization
One powerful measure after another has been introduced:
Implementation of a batch of integrated protection and restoration projects for mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grasslands, and sands; Implementation of ecological projects such as wildlife conservation and nature reserve construction; The Yangtze River Protection Law has been promulgated; The implementation of the "ten-year fishing ban" in the Yangtze River
In early autumn, in the Dongtan Wetland of Chongming Island in Shanghai, the water and sky are one color, and migratory birds flock together. These wetland elves give this place infinite vitality.
In the 1990s, due to illegal hunting and industrial pollution, Chongming Dongtan, an international gas station for bird migration, faced an ecological crisis. In recent years, nearly a thousand polluting enterprises have been shut down in the local area to restore the ecological environment, and the number of migratory birds has been increasing year by year. Chongming's green transformation and development continue to accelerate, and in 2023, it was selected as one of the first "Hemei Islands" in China.
The Chongming Incident is a microcosm of the effectiveness of ecological governance in the Yangtze River.
Since 2020, the water quality of the main stream of the Yangtze River has remained Class II for three consecutive years. The restoration of aquatic resources and diversity in the Yangtze River is improving, and the smiling angel finless porpoise is frequently appearing; The frequency of the appearance of the long disappearing catfish in the Yangtze River has rapidly increased; One of the "Three Fresh Seas of the Yangtze River", the coilia, returns to Dongting Lake to lay eggs
Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi
Huang Guiyun, a researcher at the Yangtze River Rare Plants Research Institute of Three Gorges Group, still remembers that moment:
She and her colleagues reported to the General Secretary on the restoration of the Yangtze River ecological environment and the protection of rare plants.
"Your work is very meaningful and beneficial to future generations." Huang Guiyun, who has been steadfast in the rescue and protection of rare plants on the Yangtze River for more than 20 years, was deeply excited after receiving recognition from General Secretary.
Now, this nanmu tree has grown from 7 meters long to nearly 10 meters. The concept of ecological priority and green development is taking root and growing across the country.
On the map of China, the winding and flowing Yangtze River, like an axis spanning east and west, connects the beautiful China.
This is a photo taken on November 13, 2020, of the Five Mountains and Riverside Area in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ji Chunpeng
"Chemical engineering surrounding the Yangtze River" is a persistent problem that troubles the Yangtze River.
"Building a first-class environmental protection enterprise" is now a prominent slogan in the chemical park of Chuyuan Group, showcasing the company's new positioning and goals.
Clearing the production area within one kilometer of the coastline, continuously investing 206 million yuan in environmental protection renovation, optimizing production processes, closing more than 10 production lines with high pollution and energy consumption, becoming the first batch of national carbon trading pilot enterprises in Hubei Province, while developing green pigment products and entering the fields of biomedicine and new chemical materials... After a painful experience and accelerating transformation, Chuyuan Group is undergoing a rebirth.
Implementing the new development concept, a profound transformation is surging along the river.
The key to transforming old and new kinetic energy lies in innovation.
This is a panoramic view of "China's Sky Eye" taken on February 13, 2023. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ou Dongqu
Visiting the Anhui Innovation Museum in Hefei, it was pointed out that we need to further strengthen the foundation of innovation, accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, and accelerate the cultivation of emerging industries; By watching the scene of "China's Eye" in Guizhou through video, we encourage science and technology workers to bravely climb the world's technological peak; Entering Wuhan Optics Valley, urging "to control the lifeline of technology in one's own hands"; At the Purple Mountain Laboratory in Nanjing, it is proposed to take a practical and solid path of innovation
Innovation is surging, and a large number of strategic emerging industries along the Yangtze River are thriving, unleashing strong development momentum.
On Sunday, July 21, 2013, with moderate to heavy rain, Gu Qiangsheng, who had been retired for nearly ten years, kept this notebook from that year.
The wind and heavy rain on the dock were fierce, and the General Secretary rolled up his pants and supported an umbrella as he walked, asking, "Is there great potential for development in mainland ports? Are there many containers going to the southeast coast?"
Staff remotely operate mechanical equipment to lift containers in the Yangluo Container Port area of Wuhan Xingang. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
"60% are foreign trade containers, and 40% are domestic trade containers. Mainland ports have great potential," said Gu Qiangsheng, then General Manager of Wuhan Port Group.
According to the direction pointed out by the General Secretary, Yangluo Port has now opened more than 20 various container routes, achieving "shipping to the east into the sea and trains to the west into Europe". In 2022, the container throughput will exceed 2 million TEUs.
On the riverbank of Guoyuan Port in Liangjiang New Area, Chongqing, there are 16 5000 ton berths arranged in sequence, with a busy 1.3 million square meter yard.
In just a few years, this traditional inland port has transformed into a "transit station for the world", with goods reaching over 100 countries and regions and more than 300 ports, greatly narrowing the distance between China's western inland and the world.
China in the new era, the Yangtze River in the new era.
Deepen the opening up to the east, accelerate the opening up to the west, coordinate land and sea opening up, expand border opening up, and create a corridor for opening up to the outside world that spans the east, west, and south, connecting the north and south, embracing the world with an open attitude
The cargo ship stops at the Chuanshan Port area of Ningbo Zhoushan Port to load and unload goods. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Weng Xinyang
Under the impact of the global pandemic, the environmental conditions of large-scale entry and exit have changed.
Cultivate new opportunities in crisis and open up new opportunities in changes. The provinces along the Yangtze River are striving to promote smooth domestic circulation and build a new highland for opening up to the outside world.
In the east, the integration of the Yangtze River Delta takes off; The rise of urban agglomerations in the central and middle reaches of the Yangtze River; In the west, Chengdu Chongqing double city economic circle is thriving... The Yangtze River tide, China tide and the world tide are converging and surging, and the Yangtze River is magnificent in the new era.
In the summer plateau, the blue sky is as clear as a wash, and the source area of the Yangtze River is the season of abundant water and grass.
Relocation and resettlement, ecological restoration. Over the years, approximately 100000 farmers and herdsmen have been arranged to live a comfortable life in the Three Rivers Source Area, including the Yangtze River Source, through relocation and other means.
"In the past, I used to live in tents, sleep on the ground, and light oil lamps, but now I live in a new house, sleep on the bed, and have all the necessary appliances..." Looking at the bright and clean living room, Shen Ge, a villager from Changjiang Source Village in Golmud, Qinghai, always remembers the scene from 7 years ago.
This is a photo taken in May 2020 of Changjiangyuan Village, Golmud City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Gang
As witnessed by the Yangtze River spanning thousands of miles, "One cannot be missing the comprehensive construction of a moderately prosperous society."——
Xujiachong Village in Yichang City, Hubei Province, overlooking the Yangtze River, boasts beautiful scenery and is known as the "Number One Village in the Head of the Dam". Since the beginning of summer, it has been difficult to find a room in a family hotel here.
This is a photo taken on May 11, 2021 in Yichang City, Hubei Province, of the Yangtze River finless porpoise playing in the water. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xiao Yijiu
Following the spacious village road into the village, next to the village committee square, the general secretary walked to the villagers who were washing clothes in the convenient laundry pool and happily joined in with everyone.
The villagers told the general secretary that in the past, they used to wash clothes by the river. Now, the village has built a laundry pool, which uses tap water and centrally treats sewage. This not only takes care of living habits but also is environmentally friendly.
An old man with snowy white hair smiled and replied, "Very good!"
As the Yangtze River witnesses, "In order to protect people's lives and safety, we can do anything."——
The towering Yellow Crane Tower and the surging Yangtze River water. At the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 is threatening, and the battle for Wuhan's defense begins.
After the flood season in 2020, the Yangtze River, Huai River, Chaohu Lake, and other areas were temporarily above the warning water level.
"I came specifically to visit the villagers in the disaster stricken area this time to see the post disaster recovery and reconstruction situation..."
On the embankment of Chaohu Lake, General Secretary warmly visited the families of three comrades who sacrificed themselves in the flood control, Chen Lu, Gan Lei, and Tie Keyan.
The Yangtze River witnesses that "we must handle all the small and big things of the people well"——
A few months ago, in Ma'anshan City, Anhui Province, Chen Lanxiang's labor service company signed a security and cleaning service contract worth 284000 yuan. In the first half of the year alone, the company's contract amount exceeded that of the entire year last year. This former fisherman, the "Three Girls," laughed uncontrollably, and after landing, she found a new direction in her life.
Chen Lanxiang, a fisherman from Xuejiawa, Ma'anshan City, Anhui Province, works at Sanguniang Labor Service Co., Ltd. in Ma'anshan City. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhou Mu
In 2019, local fishermen in the main and important tributaries of the Yangtze River began to return to fishing and switch production. After more than 20 years of relying on the river to eat, she went ashore with thousands of fishermen. What are you doing ashore? At that time, she was in a state of confusion.
I will remember the worries of the people; I will do what the people hope for.
More than 70 years ago, the last major battle of the Liberation War took place along the Yangtze River. With the support of the people, the People's Liberation Army broke through the Yangtze River defense line painstakingly operated by the reactionary Kuomintang.
Tourists in Hefei, Anhui
