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E-mail China.org.cn, April 24, 2024
Chen Wenjun:
Thank you, Mr. Zhou. Now, the floor is open for questions. Please identify the news agency you represent before asking your questions.
CCTV:
I've learned that Shandong's first local regulation for the protection of the Yellow River will take effect on July 1 this year. Given that Shandong province serves as an important area for the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin, what achievements has the province made in implementing this major national strategy? Additionally, what new efforts will be made in this regard? Thank you.
Zhou Naixiang:
I'll answer this question. The Yellow River meanders for thousands of miles and flows into the sea in Dongying, Shandong province.
General Secretary Xi Jinping has always kept the development of the Yellow River in mind and has required Shandong to "take the lead in advancing the ecological conservation and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin."
We have comprehensively implemented policies, focused on effective implementation, and made significant progress.
Here, I would like to use a few figures to illustrate this progress:
The first is 373. This refers to the number of bird species currently inhabiting the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve, which is twice as high as the number during its early construction. Over the years, we have restored more than 300,000 mu (20,000 hectares) of wetlands in total. With flocks of birds flying along the river and inhabiting its surrounding area, this major nature reserve is brimming with vibrant vitality. We welcome you to visit the Yellow River Estuary National Park.
The second is 600,000, which represents the number of residents relocated from the Yellow River floodplain and those whose houses were fortified. We have adopted multiple measures, such as relocating people to more hospitable areas, building elevated foundations in nearby neighborhoods, and providing follow-up support, allowing residents in the river's floodplain to break free from the threat of flood disasters and live in peace.
The third is 8 million mu, representing the amount of land nationwide dedicated to new varieties of salt-tolerant and alkali-resisting crops cultivated in Shandong. We have established the National Saline-alkali Land Comprehensive Utilization Technology Innovation Center and successfully cultivated 37 new varieties of salt-tolerant and alkali-resisting crops, such as soybeans, rice and potatoes. These efforts have filled multiple gaps, ensuring the application of salt-tolerance technology, also referred to as the "salt-tolerance chip," in grain planting in China.
The last figure is 37 million metric tons. It refers to the overall reduced production capacity in steelmaking, aluminum electrolysis, and oil refining by the nine cities along the Yellow River. We have established 370 green factories and 38 green industrial parks, all above the provincial level. This is part of our efforts to transform our industries toward green and upgraded development.
There are still more aspects of our work, which I will not list individually.
Going forward, to make the Yellow River a river of happiness that brings benefits to the people, we will make steadfast and persistent efforts focusing on three main aspects:
First, we will work to ensure the long-term stability of the Yellow River.
We will implement the flood control project for the lower reaches of the Yellow River as outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan. A total of 24 riverways will be renovated, and 10 diversion culverts and sluices will be rebuilt. Particular efforts will be put into improving the security level of Dongping Lake's flood storage and detention area, which is the only vital flood storage and detention area in the Yellow River Basin. Once completed, it will greatly enhance the flood control capacity in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. We are steadily advancing this project.
Second, we will strengthen ecological conservation and governance.
We will accelerate our efforts to protect the ecological corridors along the Yellow River, create a high-quality Yellow River Estuary National Park, strengthen the comprehensive management of rural nonpoint source pollution, and carry out the action plan on biodiversity conservation. With these efforts, we will strive to make the Yellow River Delta more beautiful and charming.
Third, we will promote high-quality transformation and upgrading across the Yellow River region.
The integrated development of the nine cities along the Yellow River will be advanced, and a great sci-tech innovation corridor will be created in the region. We will also further develop our competitive industries, such as high-end equipment, the green chemical industry, and modern agriculture. Additionally, we plan to build an integrated 10-gigawatt wind power and solar energy storage and transmission base on the salt and alkali mudflats in north Shandong.
Moreover, we will build a high-quality Shandong section of the Yellow River National Cultural Park, strengthen our calling card — the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations — and create an internationally influential Yellow River cultural experience corridor. Thank you.
