China marks National Ecology Day with solid gains in green push

Chinese authorities on Saturday unveiled a raft of major ecological achievements at the main event marking the fourth National Ecology Day in Hulunbuir, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The event, themed "Building a green foundation for Chinese modernization," was jointly hosted by the National Development and Reform Commission, relevant government departments and the regional government.

At the event, Zhang Liming, deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, detailed progress in the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, initiated in 1978 to combat desertification across the northwest, north and northeast of the country.

Since launching a critical-phase battle to advance the program in 2023, the central government has invested 88.9 billion yuan (about $13.1 billion) and launched 544 key projects, completing more than 80 million mu (about 5.33 million hectares) of ecological restoration work annually.

As a result, China's northern ecological shield has become more robust.

Forest and grassland coverage in the program area has reached 40.76%, while 67.82% of treatable desertified land has been brought under control, Zhang said.

China also reported fresh progress in building its national park system.

The country's first five national parks have integrated more than 120 nature reserves and other protected areas, strengthening the protection of key ecosystems and wildlife habitats.

Flagship species in the national parks have shown signs of recovery.

The Tibetan antelope population has exceeded 70,000, while the wild Siberian tiger population has risen from 27 to 72 and the wild leopard population from 42 to 115.

The critically endangered Hainan gibbon population has expanded to 44 individuals across seven groups.

Several new species have also been discovered in Fujian Province in east China.

The event also showcased Inner Mongolia's progress in green and low-carbon development.

Installed new-energy capacity in the region has reached 180 million kilowatts, accounting for 56% of its total power capacity, local authorities said.