China progressing in wetlands conservation for high-quality development

Wetlands include natural and artificial water bodies on land, like rivers, lakes, swamps, rice paddies, as well as some coastal areas. Known as the "kidneys of the Earth" and a reservoir of biodiversity, they can purify water and provide food and shelter to migratory birds. They are among the Earth's top stores of carbon, whose existence contributes to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

For many Chinese, wetland is a relatively new concept. But it gets an increasing spotlight as the country is advancing the progress of "ecological civilization."

In 1995, the Chinese government launched a thorough survey of the country's wetland resources, which provided the basis for urgent protection plans.

The past decade was characterized by a more comprehensive approach toward wetlands conservation in China. According to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the central government allocated 16.9 billion yuan (about 2.5 billion U.S. dollars) for wetland conservation and undertook over 3,400 protection projects in that period. The country's first specialized law on wetland protection took effect in June.

China will continue to attach great importance to wetland protection at the national level and it will filter down to enforcement by local authorities and actions of every citizen, said Wang Xiangchun with the China Urban Construction Design & Research Institute.

"This is of particular significance as China's urbanization rate surpasses 60 percent," Wang said.