A press conference was held in Shanghai on June 5th. The Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment released the “2025 Shanghai Ecological Environment Status Bulletin” on that day. The bulletin shows that in 2025, Shanghai’s air quality excellence rate reached 88.5%; the average annual concentration of PM2.5 dropped to 26 micrograms per cubic meter; the proportion of surface water sections rated Class III or above reached 99.3%, and the Huangpu River and the Yangtze River (Shanghai section) were selected as national excellent cases of beautiful and happy rivers and lakes.

On June 5th, the main event for World Environment Day 2026 in Shanghai, themed “Comprehensive Green Transformation, Building a Beautiful China Together,” was held in Hongkou District, Shanghai. The Director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment stated that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Shanghai will coordinate efforts to reduce carbon, cut pollution, expand green spaces, and promote growth.

For the first time, the Executive Committee of the Yangtze River Delta Eco-Green Integrated Development Demonstration Zone jointly released the “White Paper on Joint Ecological and Environmental Protection and Governance of the Demonstration Zone” together with the ecological environment departments of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. Innovative measures such as the “three unifications” of environmental standards, monitoring, and law enforcement, joint protection and governance of cross-border rivers and lakes, and integrated reform of environmental impact assessment systems provide replicable and scalable experience for cross-regional institutional coordination nationwide.

The white paper comprehensively reviews the progress and achievements made in the field of joint ecological and environmental protection and governance in the demonstration zone since 2019—cleaner water, bluer skies, and richer biodiversity. It is reported that the proportion of surface water sections meeting or exceeding Class III standards in the demonstration zone reached 97.8%, an increase of 23 percentage points from 2019. In 2025, the air quality excellence rate in the demonstration zone was 80.8%, up 2.4 percentage points from 2019.

The demonstration zone is actively exploring pilot projects for calculating the gross ecosystem product value across provinces. Carbon peak pilot projects are steadily advancing, with continuous optimization of the energy structure, comprehensive promotion of green buildings, and accelerated industrial transformation and upgrading. From 2019 to 2025, the average annual growth rate of the gross regional product in the two districts and one county exceeded 6%. Green industries and technological innovation platforms are rapidly gathering. The demonstration zone has boldly explored and cumulatively introduced 161 pioneering institutional innovations, 11 of which have been replicated and promoted nationwide.

Huangpu River

The Huangpu River is a major waterway flowing through the heart of Shanghai, China, dividing the city into the historic Puxi area and the modern Pudong district. Historically, it served as a vital shipping route during Shanghai’s development as a treaty port in the 19th and 20th centuries, facilitating trade and cultural exchange. Today, it is famous for the scenic Bund promenade and the iconic skyline of Pudong, making it a symbol of Shanghai’s blend of past and present.

Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, flowing over 6,300 kilometers through China. It has been a cradle of Chinese civilization for millennia, supporting agriculture, trade, and cultural development since ancient times. Historically, the river served as a vital transportation route and witnessed key events, including the Three Kingdoms period and the construction of the Three Gorges Dam in modern times.

Hongkou District

Hongkou District in Shanghai, China, has a rich history as a hub for international communities, particularly known for hosting a large Jewish refugee population during World War II. The district was part of the Shanghai International Settlement and became a safe haven for thousands fleeing persecution in Europe. Today, it features landmarks like the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum and the historic Hongkou Market, reflecting its multicultural heritage.

Yangtze River Delta Eco-Green Integrated Development Demonstration Zone

The Yangtze River Delta Eco-Green Integrated Development Demonstration Zone is a cross-regional initiative in China, established in 2019 to promote sustainable, coordinated growth across parts of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. It focuses on ecological protection, green industries, and shared governance models to address environmental and economic challenges in one of China’s most densely populated and economically vital regions. The zone builds on the area’s long history as a cultural and economic hub, aiming to set a national example for integrated, eco-friendly development.