Chongqing - At the 8th Summit for Subnational Governments & Cities during the 16th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), Chongqing’s Liangping District became the first in Chongqing to join the "Natural Cities" platform. This follows six other Chinese cities, including Kunming and Chengdu, in 2022, as announced on October 31.

The micro-wetland in Liangping District, Chongqing. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau)

Tang Xiaoping, director of the Liangping District Ecology and Environment Bureau, emphasized the district's commitment to sustainability through the Shuanggui Lake. "At the core of our urban wetland network, Shuanggui Lake represents Liangping's efforts to integrate rivers and lakes, bringing water into the city and communities. Through efforts like dredging, slope protection, and regreening, we have established an expansive, 30-square-kilometer contiguous wetland system that promotes ecological 'micro-happiness' for our residents," Tang noted.

In the neighboring Kaizhou District, which plays a crucial role in the Three Gorges ecosystem, environmental preservation efforts center around Hanfeng Lake.

The Hanfeng Lake in Kaizhou District, Chongqing. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau)

Zhao Xinhua, director of the Kaizhou District Ecology and Environment Bureau, explained how the district has preserved 10,000 mu of pristine waterfront land for ecological purposes, ensuring more than 80% natural shoreline around Hanfeng Lake. Soil erosion control measures cover 339 square kilometers, and the construction of a water-level adjustment dam has minimized water level fluctuations from 35 meters to 4.72 meters, setting a benchmark in subsidence zone management for reservoir areas.

Kaizhou also utilizes Hanfeng Lake's ecosystem for economic development. "Through ecological initiatives, including a 45 mu pond project and a 4,950-acre bird habitat area, we support wetland crops like lotus and plantain while also creating a sanctuary for over 20,000 migratory birds," Zhao added.

Moreover, Fengjie County has emerged as a model for green financing and industrial transformation. Tong Xiaopeng, deputy director of the Fengjie County Ecology and Environment Bureau, shared that as one of Chongqing's pilot areas for climate investment and financing, Fengjie has initiated 78 projects worth 18.5 billion yuan (about USD 2.6 billion), securing 3.1 billion yuan in green financing.

Water quality in the Fengjie section of the Yangtze River's mainstream has consistently remained at Class II level for seven consecutive years. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau)

"We developed mechanisms like the Fengjie Climate Investment and Financing Pilot Friendly Projects and published guidelines for efficient project financing. Leading banks, including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Agricultural Bank of China (ABC), have played a crucial role in these efforts," Tong stated.

Fengjie's green transformation also emphasizes renewable energy and sustainable industries. The county has expanded its clean energy infrastructure, adding centralized photovoltaic systems, 33 hydropower stations, and a pumped storage facility, generating 2.5 billion yuan in clean energy output. The eyeglasses manufacturing industry, comprising 135 enterprises with an output value of 2.3 billion yuan, has become another highlight of Fengjie's economic transformation, helping green GDP rise to 71.8%.

Furthermore, ecological resources in Wushan County are closely linked to cultural tourism. Chen Peng, deputy director of the Wushan County Ecology and Environment Bureau, highlighted the area's success with its signature red-leaf trees, which have attracted 70 million tourists and generated 13.6 billion yuan in tourism revenue.

Wushan County is known for its red leaves in the autumn. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau)

In parallel, efforts to revert farmland to forests and manage rocky desertification have led to planting 300,000 mu of plum trees, producing an output value of 1.8 billion yuan and improving the livelihoods of over 60,000 farmers.