«China Economic Review: Clear Waters and Green Shores Turn ‘Poetry and Distance’ into Reality»

The picture shows the Xiang’an Bamboo Lake in Xiamen, China.

A decade after the implementation of the ‘Ten Waters Policy,’ another major water governance document has been introduced. Recently, the ‘Beautiful Rivers and Lakes Protection and Construction Action Plan (2025-2027)’ was officially released, developed collaboratively by multiple government departments.

When we think of beautiful rivers and lakes, poetic imagery comes to mind—scenes like ‘the river flowing beyond heaven and earth, the endless hues of mountains,’ or ‘mist veiling the dreams of Cetang, waves lapping at Yueyang’s walls’… But from a development perspective, what defines a beautiful river or lake? According to the Action Plan, it aligns with the vision of ‘clear waters, lush shores, and fish leaping in gentle waves.’ Effective protection of water resources, aquatic environments, and ecosystems leads to significant improvements, enhancing public satisfaction, happiness, and safety while achieving harmonious water landscapes.

Beautiful rivers and lakes are an integral part of China’s ecological beauty. Since 2021, regions across the country have made progress, with standout examples like Shenzhen’s Maozhou River, Xiamen’s Yundang Lake, and Zhejiang’s Thousand Islands Lake among 94 exemplary cases.

The importance of constructing beautiful rivers and lakes extends beyond ecological governance—it also benefits livelihoods and well-being. For instance, Shenzhen’s Maozhou River restoration freed up 15 square kilometers of riverside space, enabling urban complexes, academic campuses, and tech hubs that attracted over 180 enterprises. Similarly, Xiamen’s Yundang Lake improved sewage treatment and flood control while creating lakeside parks and a white egret nature reserve, blending ecological beauty with practical infrastructure.

Turning ‘ecological benefits’ into ‘economic gains’—and then letting economic vitality nurture new ecological value—is a simple yet profound cycle. Ecological value conversion requires continuous innovation to remain sustainable and meaningful. Regions like Shaoxing and Jinhua in Zhejiang are exploring ways to reinvest ecological gains into further water conservation efforts, fostering public enthusiasm for environmental stewardship.

Protecting and constructing beautiful rivers and lakes demands balanced governance. Cross-regional collaboration remains a key challenge. The Action Plan promotes basin-wide coordination—upstream and downstream, left and right banks, main and tributary rivers—with a goal to safeguard cross-provincial ecological flows by 2027. It also encourages localized efforts, integrating even small water bodies into protection plans.

The Action Plan prioritizes quality and efficiency, addressing not just pollution but also ecosystem restoration. Coinciding with the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22), this year’s theme—’From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity’—adds deeper significance. Protecting river and lake ecosystems means preserving biodiversity, which in turn safeguards humanity.

As communities enjoy ‘greenery outside their windows and scenic views at their doorsteps,’ and as more regions achieve harmony through ‘clear waters and lush shores,’ beautiful rivers and lakes will become sources of public happiness. The poetic ideal of ‘verse and distant horizons’ will transform into tangible, everyday reality.