On June 3, the Chongqing-themed media tour on high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt commenced. Representatives from four international media outlets in China, Chinese central media outlets including People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, and CCTV-2, Chongqing mainstream media outlets, and media outlets from other provinces across the country, visited Yuzhong District, Liangjiang New Area, Yubei District, Jiangbei District, and Beibei District to explore Chongqing's ecological code driving its green development. 

Journalists visit Jiangbei District's Xiangguosi Riverside Park on June 3, 2025, to learn about its waterfront rehabilitation, the completion of removing floating restaurants ahead of schedule, and the transition of fishermen's livelihoods. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)

"It's incredible. At the Center, we witnessed wastewater being transformed into clear, transparent water after non-hazardous treatment, and learned about local explorations in building a 'waste-free city'," said Asghar Muhammad, Beijing correspondent for the Associated Press of Pakistan, after visiting the Urban Non-Hazardous Waste Management Center on Huangshaxi Riverside Road in Yuzhong District.

The comprehensive environmental remediation of the coral dam waterfront drew substantial attention from the interview delegation. As the largest sandbar on the left bank of the Yangtze River in Yuzhong District, the coral dam, formed naturally by years of river sedimentation, is part of Chongqing's "Two Rivers, Four Riversides, and Ten Public Spaces" restoration initiative. "Our restoration philosophy minimizes human intervention," the onsite staff explained. "We implemented tailored solutions for the dam's windward and leeward sides while preserving its ecological foundation." Years of ecological restoration and protection of the basins of the Two Rivers have turned the coral dam from a natural tidal flat into a biodiversity hotspot. This area now hosts over 20 native plant species and more than 100 bird species, representing approximately 25% of Chongqing's bird population.

At the coral dam waterfront, Ayoub Bechrouri, a correspondent from the China News Center of China-Arab TV, took out his phone to capture a selfie with the lush landscape. He introduced the ecological beauty of the coral dam to his followers on social media, highlighting Chongqing's typical practices and successful experiences in the "Two Rivers and Four Riversides" remediation project.

Meanwhile, another interview delegation, comprising Chinese central media representatives, conducted field research at the estuary of the Yangjiahegou basin in Jiangbei District. "This area used to be plagued by sewage overflow, prompting frequent complaints from residents," explained Mao Qing, Deputy Director of the Water Environment Division at Jiangbei District's Ecological Environment Bureau. In recent years, the locality has upgraded the sewage pipe network to ensure that "clean water enters the river while sewage enters the pipes." They also created Shanshui Park at the estuary, transforming the area into a popular waterfront destination for residents.

Furthermore, following the improvement of the ecological environment at the estuary, the adjacent Fisherman's Bay Wharf began utilizing the space under the bridge to create the N37 Bridge Corner Luminous Camp. Today, this camp hosts various sporting events and youth concerts, attracting hundreds of thousands of followers online.

At Beibei District's Jinyun Mountain Nature Education Center, journalists visited the "Insect Chirps and Wind Whispers—Five Senses of Jinyun" exhibition hall, where they immersed themselves in the sounds of wind and the tactile sensations of flora and fauna within the nature reserve. In the nature education area, facilities such as the seed bank and micro-laboratory amazed the visiting journalists.

"Jinyun Mountain is Chongqing's only national-level nature reserve, located in the central urban area. We must both protect it well and actively explore pathways to transform its ecological value," explained Hu Yishan, Director of Beibei District's Culture and Tourism Development Commission. When it comes to ecological value transformation, the upgrade and renovation of homestays in Jinyun Mountain is a key component of this initiative.

In recent years, Beibei District has implemented a homestay industry development model in which the government provides guidance, villagers take the lead, and professional teams participate. This has guided the Jinyun Mountain area (involving Chengjiang Town, Beiwenquan Subdistrict, and Xiema Subdistrict) to implement villagers-led rural eco-friendly homestay renovation and upgrade projects, with nearly 80 rural farmhouses undergoing upgrades.

"Villagers build and operate these homestays themselves, transforming Jinyun Mountain's ecological value into economic value and identifying an effective pathway where ecology is beautiful, industry thrives, and people prosper," said Hou Liqiang, a journalist from China Daily.

That day, the interview delegation also visited the AT&S Chongqing Factory, Chaotianmen Dock, and Jiangbei District's Xiangguosi Riverside Park, where they learned about Chongqing's practical cases in promoting green, high-quality development and ship sewage management.

After the day's interviews concluded, Mauro Ramos Pintos, a correspondent from Brazil's Workers' TV, reflected, "This interview has left me deeply impressed by Chongqing's and even China's explorations and solutions in green, low-carbon development and environmental protection, deepening my understanding of China's ecological civilization concept and the philosophy that 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets'."