Chongqing—On May 21, over 40 journalists from across the globe gathered along the banks of the Yangtze River in Wushan, Chongqing, to witness the "ecological magic" of China's Mother River. The focal point of their visit was the innovative garbage-cleaning boats operating on the Yangtze, a symbol of China's relentless efforts to restore the river’s ecological vitality while balancing sustainable growth.​

Chinese and international journalists document ecological initiatives aboard a Yangtze River cruise. (Photo/Qihai Deng)

The journalists boarded one of the cleaning vessels, part of a fleet deployed to tackle floating debris and pollutants in the Yangtze River. These boats, equipped with advanced filtration systems, are a cornerstone of China's broader strategy to achieve "lucid waters and lush mountains" by 2025. Since 2020, a decade-long fishing ban has been enforced across the Yangtze Basin, coupled with rigorous pollution control measures targeting illegal sand mining, sewage discharge, and industrial runoff. The results are tangible: surface water quality rated as "good" now stands at 74.9%, while heavily polluted water (below Grade V) has dropped to 3.4%. 

Staff demonstrate Yangtze River water quality testing procedures. (Photo/Qihai Deng)

For visiting journalists like William Glasgow from The Australian, Wushan’s success offers a blueprint. “Balancing growth and environmental protection isn’t unique to China, but its scale here is unparalleled,” he noted. “Developing nations can learn from policies like the fishing ban or habitat restoration, while China could adopt best practices from countries with longer histories in water purification and forest management.” Chongqing’s integration of high-speed rail, airports, and eco-tourism infrastructure also highlights the role of connectivity in sustainable development. Yet challenges remain, particularly in curbing regional disparities. As Glasgow observed, “A country as vast as China has climates and economies as diverse as its nations. Collaboration—both domestically and internationally—is key to tailored solutions.”

Foreign journalists interview Yangtze River Basin governance experts.​ (Photo/Qihai Deng)