By love-89.com **Interviewer:** Today, we are joined by several experts to discuss the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Over the years, President Xi Jinping has traveled extensively across nine provinces along the Yellow River and hosted three symposiums to deliberate on these crucial topics. Recently, in Lanzhou, he emphasized the importance of “working together to perform the ‘Yellow River Symphony’ in the new era.” What are your thoughts on the necessity of cross-regional collaboration to achieve this goal?
**Zou Xiang:** Collaboration requires a unified direction and shared goals. A notable example of this is the agreement between Shandong and Henan provinces. In 2021, they signed the first horizontal ecological compensation agreement in the Yellow River basin, committing to financial compensation based on water quality improvements. As the ecological beneficiary, Shandong successfully compensated Henan 126 million yuan. By the end of 2023, they renewed their agreement, ensuring continued progress in enhancing water quality in the Yellow River basin.
**Li Yueyue:** Effective collaboration depends heavily on a robust mechanism. With the right systems in place, even “distant water” can quench “near thirst.” In 2023, the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Base Management Committee in Ningxia signed an agreement with the Water Resources Bureau of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan, marking the first cross-province water rights transaction in the Yellow River basin, securing 15 million cubic meters of water for 1.8 million yuan over three years. This transaction not only resolves water shortages but also provides tangible benefits for water-saving stakeholders, showcasing a new pathway for optimizing water resources on a larger scale.
**Su Tongmin:** Collaboration is not a one-time deal; it requires sustained efforts. One of the seven major engineering projects outlined in the Yellow River Governance and Development Plan is the Gu Xian Water Conservancy Hub, which spans Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. Over many years, the water conservancy departments of both provinces have closely worked together, from project proposals to feasibility studies and initial designs, maintaining a shared vision as the project proceeds steadily.
**He Shanshan:** Looking deeper, collaboration should go beyond regional ties; it must balance protection with development. Managing the Yellow River means achieving high-level protection while fostering high-quality development in the surrounding areas. Cross-regional cooperation is a spatial expansion, while synchronizing protection and development is an internal enhancement, which requires reform-driven strategies to bridge ecological integrity and economic strength.
**Li Yueyue:** Protection and development are not mutually exclusive; protecting and managing the Yellow River inherently aligns with the principles of high-quality development. For instance, in Yinhong Village of the Huinong District in Shizuishan, Ningxia, significant desertification of land once plagued the area. With the strengthened protection and restoration of wetlands and a shift to returning farmland to wetlands, the village has revitalized 10,000 acres of river beach, developing eco-friendly agritourism and specialty inn businesses. In 2023, they welcomed over 300,000 visitors and generated over 1 million yuan in collective income, earning a place as a key rural tourism village in the nation. This transformation exemplifies the emergence of more areas like Yinhong Village along the Yellow River, demonstrating that solid ecological foundations lead to high-quality development, improved livelihoods, and efficient governance.
**Su Tongmin:** The ecological “green factor” is essential in enhancing the “golden quality” of development. In the small watershed of Xuezhang in Shaanxi’s Yan’an, the area previously suffered from severe soil erosion covering 12.26 square kilometers. Thanks to the implementation of conservation initiatives, the overall management of soil erosion has reached 75%, with vegetation coverage exceeding 65%. Recently, the carbon trading project related to the conservation efforts was officially signed, reflecting how ecological restoration leads to developmental progress.
**Zou Xiang:** Collaboration should not imply uniformity; it should be based on individual resource capabilities and developmental positioning within the Yellow River basin. By leveraging strengths, addressing weaknesses, and finding areas of advantage, we can achieve collaborative, differentiated, and interconnected growth, realizing the synergistic effect of “1 + 1 > 2.”
**He Shanshan:** The rivers and culture are interconnected. Protecting and promoting Yellow River culture while preserving historical and ethnic legacies involves comprehensive and systematic protection of both tangible and intangible heritage. For example, in Baoji City, Shaanxi, integration of water environment, ecology, resources, safety, and cultural aspects has led to the construction of several cultural ecological parks along the Wei River, which incorporate elements of the Yangshao culture, Zhou rituals, and Qin opera. This transition from an ecological river to a cultural river not only enhances urban development but also nurtures the cultural essence that enriches community life.
**Li Yueyue:** A positive ecological environment is the most universal form of public welfare. The inclusion of China’s Yellow (Bohai) Sea migratory bird habitat, which includes the Yellow River Estuary in Dongying, into the World Heritage List is a significant milestone. The number of bird species in the Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve increased from 187 to 373, and residents can now enjoy greenery and parks near their homes. The transformation at the Yellow River’s mouth showcases a thriving ecosystem that promotes harmony between people and nature. Through consistent effort and collaboration, our vision of a beautiful Yellow River today can flourish and thrive even more splendidly in the future.