Guilin mayor pledges to better protect Lijiang River

Qin Chuncheng, mayor of Guilin, speaks at a plenary meeting of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region deputies to the second session of the 13th National People's Congress. [Photo by Huang Ke/Guangxi Daily]

Qin Chuncheng, a deputy to the second session of the 13th National People's Congress and mayor of Guilin, pledged to spare no effort in protecting the Lijiang River.

The river is often described as a blue ribbon running through Guilin. A breathtaking cruise on the river passing through karst mountains, steep cliffs, and wondrous caves attracts hordes of tourists to the city every year. In 2018 alone, 109.15 million tourists spent 139.18 billion yuan ($20.7 billion) in Guilin, up 32.58 percent and 43.22 percent, respectively.

In order to protect the river ecosystem, Guilin has committed to the environmental remediation of river islands, the construction of a water replenishing hub, and the conservation of upstream forests. Waste and sewage water emitted by households and restaurants along the river, especially by communities on river islands, have also been strictly regulated.

Next, the Guilin Lijiang River Scenic Area Regulations will be rolled out to normalize management systems. A campaign to tear down illegal buildings, close illegal businesses, crack down on illegal watercourse digging and aquatic breeding, and improve the poor sanitation situation will be continued. Preparations for the construction of the Longtang Reservoir will be pushed forward.