Expats in Fujian: Xiamen strikes a chord with expats

A lesson from Yundang Lake

The clear lake water and egrets cleaving the air and gliding on the water surface form an ecological picture in Yundang Lake, attracting foreign press corps to stop and enjoy.

Foreign press corps pose for a picture by the lakeside of Yundang Lake in Xiamen. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

However, when they found out that the lake was once polluted by surrounding factories in the 1970s and 1980s, they were deeply amazed by the changes and efforts Xiamen has put into it.

To treat Yundang Lake in an all-around and thorough way, Xiamen has mobilized all of society and taken a series of measures since 1988, including controlling pollution, cleaning up mud, building banks, planting trees by the lake, and connecting lake water with sea water to achieve water circulation.

Foreign press corps learn about the story of Yundang Lake at Yundang Academy. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I've heard the story of Yundang Lake, and I'm really impressed by the city's efforts to protect the water environment and preserve ecology. I really enjoy the beautiful scenery here," said Tiemoko Konate , a journalist from Mali.

Apart from admiring the city's ecological progress, some foreign journalists were thinking deeply and trying to learn lessons from Yundang lake.

Foreign press corps visit Yundang Academy. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"It reminds me that in the region I come from, we have something similar like that. But we have not been able to develop it," said Malik Sullemana, a reporter from the Ghanaian Times, "I keep asking myself how many technologies and resources were committed into developing that area. It is only beyond my imagination."

Istvan Bello, a journalist from Cuba, said his country has the same problem as Xiamen. The experience of Yundang Lake was encouraging for him and he believes his country can do the same one day.