Highlights in developing Yangtze River Economic Belt

Five major tasks for the development of Yangtze River Economic Belt were clarified during a conference held in Beijing in May 2018. The conference was presided over by He Lifeng, minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and head of the leading group for promoting the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

The five tasks involve water pollution control, ecological restoration of water environments, water resources protection, transport efficiency, and innovation of a coordinated development system.

1. Water pollution control. The task focuses on the treatment of sewage waste, chemical pollution, pollution from ships, rural non-point source (RNPS) water pollution and tailing ponds, in an effort to achieve full treatment of all water pollution.

2. Ecological restoration of water environments. Measures will be taken for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and construction of green landscapes along river banks.

3. Water resources protection. Making the safety of drinking water a top priority, protection of water sources will be strengthened and work will be done to ensure reasonable distribution of water resources.

4. Transport efficiency. With a focus on resolving the transport bottleneck at the Three Gorges Dam, measures will be taken to speed up the development of multimodal transport and improve the transport system.

5. Innovation of a coordinated development system. Pilot zones for eco-value products and demonstration zones for green development will be set up. Laws to protect the Yangtze River will be developed.