China has made steady progress in protecting its ecosystem. Over the past decade, the ecological management of rivers, lakes and seas has evolved from concept to systematic practice.

The Yangtze River is a shining example. The regions along the river have advanced their water environment governance, aquatic ecosystem restoration, water resource protection, green industrial transformation and shoreline remediation.

China's efforts to protect and manage its water resources have received praise from members of the international community who have personally witnessed the achievements of the water management and the benefits brought about by the improvement of water quality.

Erik Solheim, former head of the United Nations Environment Programme, visited the Sanjiangyuan National Park in Qinghai province in northwest China in May. This is where the three massive rivers — the Yellow River, the Yangtze River and the Lancang River —  originate and his video on X has been viewed more than 17,000 times.

Alexander Samuel Rhea, an American teacher at Qinghai Minzu University, visited the Yushu Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Qinghai in 2023. Yushu is located in the core area of the source of the three rivers. "The local people's awareness of ecological protection impressed me greatly," Rhea said. "The herdsmen not only picked up garbage voluntarily but also told me about the significance of protecting the ecological environment of the three rivers' source."

Sukonna Gonsalves, a Bangladeshi student in China's Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, said the Yangtze is not just a rushing river, but also a green connection that integrates into the daily life of people.

"Standing on the bank of the Yangtze in Zhenjiang (a city in Jiangsu province in eastern China), I witnessed the busy traffic of cargo ships in the river, the lush greenery along the banks, and the clean and spacious walkways. People were strolling, cycling and resting along the riverbank. The development of the city and the protection of the environment complement each other," she said.

Osam Khan, a Pakistani student at Anhui University of Technology, said he often takes a walk in the Binjiang cultural park in Ma'anshan, a city in Anhui province, east China. "When I looked through old photos, I realized that this stretch of coastline was once occupied by numerous docks and sand quarries," he said. "Now, it is like a 'large living room' that the city has opened towards the Yangtze River. People live peacefully by the river."

Richard, a Zambian studying at  Nanjing Normal University of Special Education, said the Swallow Promontory Park of Nanjing in Jiangsu used to be a heavy chemical industrial base. "Now, after the relocation and renovation of the enterprises, the riverbank is a lush green area, and this has awakened the long-standing riverbank culture. I was fortunate to record and witness this transformation."