World Wetlands Day celebrated in Guangzhou

Guangzhou celebrates the 22nd World Wetlands Day on Feb 2 by launching an environmental awareness activity in Haizhu National Wetland Park. [Photo/WeChat account haizhuwetland]

The Guangzhou city government marked the 22nd World Wetlands Day on Feb 2 by launching an environmental awareness activity, calling on people to protect, repair, and make rational use of wetlands. 

The theme of this year's World Wetlands Day is "Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future".

"The preservation and sustainable use of urban wetlands can provide cities with multiple economic, social, and environmental benefits, and urban wetlands should be integrated into the development and management plans of cities," said Martha Rojas Urrego, secretary general of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

She also appreciated China's accomplishments on wetland protection in sustainable urban development, and hoped China will play a leading role in the world in this respect.

Martha Rojas Urrego, secretary general of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, gives a speech at the activity. [Photo/WeChat account haizhuwetland]

China has total wetland areas of over 53 million hectares, and is home to 57 internationally important wetlands, 602 wetland nature reserves and 898 national wetland parks .

Li Chunliang, deputy head of the State Forestry Administration, said China would continue to fulfill its obligation as a contracting party of the Ramsar Convention by establishing a wetland protection system and increasing relevant investment and education.

Haizhu National Wetland Park, where the celebration activity was held, is the largest national wetland park in Guangzhou. Guangzhou has established 19 wetland parks in an area of over 79,000 hectares. The city will carry on the protection of wetlands and  construction of biodiversity and ecological civilization in the city, said vice mayor Li Ming.

A special Cantonese Opera is staged in the park to mark the 22nd World Wetlands Day. [Photo/WeChat account haizhuwetland]