Chongqing— During the 2024 Two Sessions in Beijing, a press conference titled "Strategically Advancing Ecological and Environmental Conservation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) and the Elevated Development of Beautiful Chongqing" took place on March 8.

Nestled at the upper Yangtze River and the core of the Three Gorges Reservoir area, Chongqing is steadfast in its commitment to bolster the vital ecological defenses of the Yangtze River's upper reaches. The city is dedicated to accelerating the creation of a scenic and pristine environment and playing an exemplary role in the green development of the YREB. 

The YREB's evolution is aligned with the long-term interests of the Chinese nation, emphasizing ecological preservation and green growth. This approach aims to harness the substantial ecological, economic, and social benefits derived from lush mountains and clear rivers, ensuring the enduring vitality and dynamism of the Yangtze River's vital artery.

Advanced wastewater management and ecological conservation

Meng Geli, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee and a member of the Standing Committee of the China Democratic League (CDL) Central Committee, stated that the CDL Chongqing Municipal Committee's in-depth investigations over the past year have unveiled substantial advancements in urban domestic wastewater management across YREB cities, notably in Chongqing. Presently, Chongqing boasts an array of urban wastewater treatment facilities, achieving commendable benchmarks in processing capacity and collection efficiency, thereby significantly contributing to enhancing the Yangtze River's aquatic environment.

Meng Geli is a member of the CPPCC National Committee and a member of the Standing Committee of the CDL Central Committee. (Photo/Qin Jie)

Nevertheless, Meng Geli shed light on persistent issues and obstacles. Despite the strides in wastewater management, cities like Chongqing still grapple with challenges such as inadequate ancillary infrastructure and the complexities involved in modernizing antiquated pipelines. Furthermore, there's a pressing need to bolster the emergency response aptitude of wastewater treatment installations, particularly to tackle natural catastrophes and public health crises effectively.

To surmount these hurdles, Meng Geli advocated for the expedited completion of the urban wastewater conduit network, embracing innovative approaches, establishing realistic objectives, and methodically and progressively refurbishing the sewage network. Augmenting the emergency response capacity of wastewater treatment facilities is deemed essential to fortify the system's resilience, ensure adept wastewater management during crises, and safeguard the Yangtze River's ecological integrity.

In addition, Meng Geli emphasized the critical role of rural wastewater treatment in conserving the Yangtze River's ecological milieu. She called for escalated investments, fostering the efficient gathering and processing of rural sewage and facilitating the performance efficacy of rural wastewater treatment plants to bolster the overall aquatic environment in these areas.

Agricultural sustainability and green transition in the YREB

The strategic development of the YREB is a pivotal decision by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, underscored by its crucial role in China's holistic advancement. Yang Guang, a member of the CPPCC National Committee and deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, highlighted agriculture's pivotal role in carbon reduction, acknowledging both its challenges and prospects. Amid the availability of mature green and low-carbon technologies, the critical challenge remains: integrating these technologies into agricultural practices without compromising food security, especially within the YREB. The interplay between economic growth and ecological conservation is vital in this essential agricultural hub.

Yang Guang is a member of the CPPCC National Committee and deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association. (Photo/Qin Jie)

Yang Guang underscored the current shortfall in market demand for green and low-carbon products, which hampers the full valuation of these products via market dynamics. Moreover, the absence of potent incentives and compensation frameworks for agricultural carbon sequestration, coupled with the steep costs associated with green and low-carbon technologies, dampens the enthusiasm of small-scale farmers towards embracing a green transition. The agricultural sector's shift towards low-carbon practices is impeded by a lack of robust data support, manifesting in delayed carbon emission data, substantial monitoring costs, and suboptimal monitoring techniques, which collectively obstruct the precise crafting and assessment of pertinent policies.

In his suggestions, Yang Guang advocated for promoting organic fertilizers and precision fertilization, pushing towards agricultural machinery electrification, elevating environmental standards in livestock farming, refining incentives for green and low-carbon agricultural practices, and fortifying agricultural carbon sequestration market structures. Furthermore, he emphasized the need to enhance the quantification and monitoring of agricultural carbon sequestration. These initiatives are designed to catalyze the agricultural sector's transition to green and low-carbon methodologies within the YREB, aligning economic progress with ecological sustainability.

Chongqing's ecological and urban transformation

Chongqing is dedicated to serving as a model in ecological and environmental conservation within the YREB and contributing to the vision of a beautiful China. Zhang Rui, a member of the CPPCC National Committee and the deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources underscored Chongqing's vital role and responsibility as a key city at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, particularly in ecological protection and the creation of a beautiful Chongqing.

Zhang Rui is a CPPCC National Committee member and the deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources. (Photo/Qin Jie)

Zhang Rui highlighted that in 2018 the Bureau developed the Comprehensive Plan for the Two Rivers and Four Banks Management and Promotion, aiming to establish four unique zones: ecological, recreational, cultural, and urban landscape. Through 26 specific guidelines, this plan has significantly improved the riverside environment and the residents' quality of life. The Bureau has also undertaken various plans and measures to bolster ecological protection and shoreline restoration, such as the Enhancement Plan for the Core Area of Two Rivers and Four Banks and the Jialing River Riverside Ecological Corridor Strategy. Noteworthy projects like the Hongyadong Pedestrian Street expansion were effectively implemented by specialized teams, enhancing public space quality and resident satisfaction.

Moreover, in 2023, the Bureau introduced the Comprehensive Urban and Rural Landscape Plan for Beautiful Chongqing in the New Era to uplift the overall appearance of urban and rural Chongqing. This plan seeks to blend city and countryside characteristics, fostering an environment that is both modern and traditional, culturally vibrant, and ecologically balanced. The plan concentrates on architectural beauty and public space enhancement. It highlights the significance of culture and ecology, promoting various beautification projects to facilitate a harmonious coexistence between urbanity and nature.

Enhanced ecological conservation and green development

Yu Guodong, a member of the CPPCC National Committee and director of Chongqing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau, has highlighted the city's rigorous efforts in ecological conservation and pollution control over recent years, with notable initiatives like the "Ten-Year Fishing Ban" and the establishment of ecological civilization demonstration zones. Chongqing is also deeply engaged in a transition toward green and low-carbon practices, encompassing the development of green parks and factories, the advancement of green finance, and the bolstering of an integrated ecological and environmental management system, all contributing significantly to the city's enhanced environmental quality and green growth trajectory.

Yu Guodong elaborated on the Bureau's agenda for the year, centered around the overarching goal of constructing a beautiful Chongqing, driving advancements across four dimensions, orchestrating the execution of seven pivotal tasks, and amalgamating ten specific actions. These seven tasks span a wide spectrum, addressing enhancements in water and air quality management, soil and agricultural pollution control, reduction of plastics and waste, beautifying urban and rural areas, biodiversity protection, green and low-carbon development, and refining the ecological and environmental governance framework. These comprehensive measures are designed to fortify ecological preservation, elevate environmental standards, and endorse sustainable growth.

The delineated ten actions are devised to operationalize the tasks mentioned, encompassing initiatives such as wastewater treatment, rectification of pollution discharge outlets, management of mobile source air pollution, air quality improvement during autumn and winter, rural water body management, the establishment of zero-waste cities, optimization of environmental impact assessment services, pollution management, regional ecological collaboration, and the digitalization of ecological and environmental governance. These actions are meticulously planned to holistically enhance Chongqing's ecological and environmental stewardship through concrete and pragmatic strategies.