Chongqing - Chongqing showcased its latest achievements in ecological protection, river restoration and green development at the 2026 World Environment Day event held in Changshou District on June 3.

The event was jointly organized by the Chongqing Ecology and Environment Bureau, the CPC Changshou District Committee, the Changshou District People’s Government and the Changshou Economic and Technological Development Zone Administrative Committee.

Chongqing hosts the 2026 World Environment Day event in Changshou District on June 3. (Photo/Chongqing Ecology and Environment Bureau)

In recent years, Chongqing has advanced pollution prevention through its “Nine Governance” framework covering multiple environmental sectors. The water quality of the Chongqing section of the Yangtze River has remained at an excellent level for nine consecutive years, while urban and rural black-odorous water bodies have been dynamically eliminated. The city has also recorded more than 325 days of good or excellent air quality annually for six consecutive years.

These efforts form part of broader initiatives to strengthen ecological governance and support the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.

Changshou District, the event’s host, has pursued ecological protection alongside industrial development. The district has completed an afforestation project covering 78,000 mu (about 5,200 hectares) and established a cross-industry circular economy system. It has also developed major hydrogen-energy infrastructure and expanded hazardous waste treatment capacity, helping advance both environmental protection and industrial transformation.

A highlight of the event was the release of Chongqing’s 2025 “Beautiful Rivers and Lakes” case studies, which recognize successful watershed restoration and water-quality improvement projects across the municipality.

Among the selected examples, Liangjiang New Area and Beibei District were recognized for joint management of the Heishuitan River, where coordinated upstream and downstream conservation measures have helped preserve more than 90% of the river’s natural shoreline.

Changshou District and neighboring Linshui County in Sichuan Province were highlighted for their collaborative restoration of Dahong Lake, where water quality has stabilized at Class III and aquatic biodiversity has continued to recover.

Additional examples included ecological restoration work along the Zaozhui River in Nanchuan District and a cross-provincial ecological flow compensation mechanism established between Wansheng Economic Development Zone and Tongzi County in neighboring Guizhou Province.

The event also introduced the second batch of Chongqing’s ecological and cultural tourism routes, covering five districts and counties: Dadukou, Beibei, Changshou, Dazu and Pengshui. The routes combine natural landscapes, industrial heritage and ethnic cultural attractions, reflecting efforts to integrate environmental protection with tourism development.

Case studies presented during the event highlighted work ranging from noise-pollution mediation and environmental monitoring modernization to riverbank protection, biodiversity research and industrial decarbonization projects.

The Chongqing Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center showcased its fully automated “dark laboratory” system, which enables environmental samples to be collected, analyzed and traced through a largely unmanned process.

The event also saw the release of the 2025 Chongqing Ecological Civilization Communication Index, a report examining trends in environmental communication and public outreach across the municipality.

Meanwhile, the upgraded ecological mascot “Yu Xiaohuan”  2.0 debuted with new artificial intelligence capabilities designed to support environmental education and public engagement. An upgraded version of the “Tan Hui Tong” Carbon Credit Platform 4.0 was launched at the event, allowing residents to convert low-carbon activities in areas such as transportation, consumption and daily life into carbon credits.

“Tan Hui Tong” Carbon Credit Platform 4.0 goes online. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau)

Five new “Beautiful Chongqing” Ambassadors were appointed from fields including media, agriculture, photography and international communication.

Among them was Gao Fei, host of Traffic Radio, Chongqing Broadcasting Group. Gao noticed receiving the title was both an honor and a responsibility. “It is also a commitment,” Gao said. “I will continue telling Chongqing’s stories well and use my voice to share the city’s ecological beauty.”

Five “Beautiful Chongqing” Ambassadors were appointed during the 2026 World Environment Day event. (Photo/Chongqing Ecology and Environment Bureau)

As Chongqing continues to pursue green development, organizers said the city aims to further strengthen public participation in environmental protection and contribute to the broader goal of building a Beautiful China.