China's Yangtze River, once severely polluted, has seen significant improvements in water quality and biodiversity over the past decade. The Yangtze River Economic Belt, an initiative launched in 2016, prioritized ecological protection and green development, leading to a transformation in the region's growth model. The share of high-quality water sections in the Yangtze basin has increased from 82.3% in 2016 to over 98% today.
The turning point came in 2016 when a meeting set a clear principle that development along the river must prioritize ecology and green development. Strict ecological safeguards, structural economic reform, and technology-driven governance have contributed to the region's progress. The population of the iconic Yangtze finless porpoises has increased by 23.4% since 2017, and 344 native fish species were recorded between 2021 and 2024, 36 more than in the previous period.
A 10-year fishing ban imposed in 2021 across key waters of the Yangtze basin has been a crucial intervention, affecting over 230,000 fishers in 10 provincial-level regions. The policy aimed to halt the decline in aquatic biodiversity by completely halting exploitation. The results of the conservation efforts are tangible and measurable, offering a glimpse into how China aims to reconcile growth with long-term environmental resilience.