Sketching a New Panorama of the Yangtze River: Observations on Advancing the Yangtze River Economic Belt Development Through Implementing the Guiding Principles of the 20th CPC National Congress

 

Promoting the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt is a major decision made by the CPC Central Committee and a national strategy of overarching significance to China's development. The General Secretary Xi Jinping made important arrangements for the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress.

In recent days, reporters from Xinhua News Agency have found in their interviews along the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River that officials and the public along the river are resolutely implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress. Following the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, they are striving with vigor and courage, working hard to make the Yangtze River Economic Belt a major battlefield for prioritizing ecology and green development, a vital economic artery for promoting dual circulation at home and abroad, and a main force in leading high-quality development.

Green pulse: anchoring "Comprehensive Protection"

Since 2016, the General Secretary Xi Jinping has conducted inspections along the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and chaired four symposiums, profoundly elucidating the dialectical relationship and strategic rationale behind the Yangtze River Economic Belt's principle of "stepping up conservation of the Yangtze River and stopping its over development."

This is a path of ecological primacy and green development. Along this path flows the unwavering resolve of every community across the Yangtze River, merging like its tributaries into an unstoppable current of perseverance.

By replacing outdated industries with green alternatives, China is accelerating the transition toward eco-friendly development models.

In Yichang, Hubei, the Yangtze River in winter is clear and still like a mirror. In the afternoon, among the green plants and lawns in Xingfa Group's New Materials Industrial Park along the river, workers in small groups of three or five are taking a walk. Six years ago, this area was still a factory site covered with chemical facilities.

Xingfa Group dismantled riverside chemical facilities worth over RMB1 billion, spent nearly RMB1 billion on industrial pollution treatment, and invested hundreds of millions in shoreline restoration... What chairman Li Guozhang called "taking the lead through painful restructuring" has now generated momentum for green development in the new era.

Adopting a problem-oriented approach, China is intensifying efforts to prevent and control environmental pollution.

In Yushan District, Ma'anshan City, Anhui Province, the Xiangshan Mining Area has a history of over a century of mining. In 2021, the Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection Teams pointed out that there were problems here, such as bare hillsides caused by extensive mining in the early days and acidic wastewater from the mining area posing a threat to the ecological safety of the Yangtze River.

In early November, reporters saw here that the once bare hillsides have been covered with forests, and the former mining pits have been transformed into scenic lakes. Under the sunlight, they resemble "sapphires" embedded in the mountains, becoming popular "internet - famous check - in spots" for tourists.

Pursuing harmonious coexistence, China is enhancing the diversity, stability, and sustainability of its ecosystems.

In the Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve in Shanghai, cranes dance gracefully and swans sing melodiously. This place is referred to as the "maternity ward" and "kindergarten" for migratory fish such as the Chinese sturgeon, as well as the "paradise for birds" at the Yangtze River estuary. Fu Xiaosheng, Deputy Director of the Management Affairs Center of the Nature Reserve, said, "Through combating invasive species, implementing precise management of migratory bird habitats, conducting scientific monitoring of birds, fish, and benthic organisms, as well as strengthening patrols to crack down on poaching, we are committed to safeguarding biodiversity. In recent years, both the species and population of birds have increased annually, with over 1,000 wintering tundra swans now observed - a tenfold increase from the lowest recorded numbers."

Through coordinated mechanisms, China is fostering cross-regional collaboration among the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Interviews revealed that five cities - Anqing in Anhui, Jiujiang in Jiangxi, Huanggang in Hubei, and others - are formulating follow-up measures based on this summer's agreement on joint prevention and control of sudden water pollution incidents in the Yangtze River basin between upstream and downstream regions. "Protecting the Yangtze River requires coordinated efforts like a well-played chess game," said Pan Jing, Deputy Director of Anqing Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment.

Domestic-Global Links: Unblocking Dual Circulation

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress called for accelerating the establishment of a new development paradigm. As a vital economic artery facilitating dual circulation, the Yangtze River Economic Belt must further strengthen its capacity and efficacy.

Along this vital economic artery, the endogenous dynamism and reliability of China's domestic circulation have been consistently strengthened.

The latest statistics from the Changjiang River Administration of Navigational Affairs, MOT show that in the first three quarters of this year, both cargo throughput and container throughput at ports along the Yangtze River trunk line achieved year-on-year growth. "Most of these cargoes consist of industrial raw materials or fuels, shipped from the middle-upper Yangtze reaches to more industrialized regions downstream," said Jin Qiqiang, Director of the Yangtze River Shipping Development Research Center.

Along this vital economic artery, the quality and efficiency of international circulation have been steadily enhanced.

Since its September launch, the Shanghai port's empty container transportation center for the Northeast Asian has seen growing activity, boasting approximately 12,000 ground slots and an annual handling capacity of 3 million TEUs. "The report to the 20th CPC National Congress proposed developing digital trade and accelerating efforts to build China into a strong trading nation. We are implementing digitalized and intelligent management models to enhance Shanghai Port's resource allocation capacity as an international shipping hub, providing empty container services to global clients to ease container shortages for enterprises," said Ding Songbing, General Manager of the Strategic Research Department at SIPG.

Along this vital economic artery, the synergistic effects between domestic and international markets and resources are becoming increasingly pronounced.

"Roll-on/roll-off ships and freight trains arrive in steady succession... At Guoyuan Port, Chongqing, the Belt and Road Initiative seamlessly converges with the Yangtze River Economic Belt." The container terminal manager explained that domestic mechanical equipment, auto/motorcycle parts, and electronic products are shipped from here to Central Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia via the China-Europe Railway Express and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. After arriving in China, foreign-sourced minerals, agricultural products, and electromechanical equipment are then distributed nationwide via the Yangtze River network.

"Previously, reaching Europe took over 40 days. Now, Chongqing's integrated rail, waterway, highway, and air transport networks offer seamless multimodal combinations, enabling nationwide connectivity that has halved transit times. "said He Daoguo, General Manager of Chongqing Meilian INT'L Warehouse & Transport (Group) Co., Ltd., with nearly three decades of cross-border logistics experience.

Innovation engine: powering high-quality growth

This economic landscape witnesses the progressive unfolding of new frontiers and innovative growth pathways.

In the pre-assembly workshops of CETC Wuhu Diamond Aircraft Manufacture Co., Ltd. (CETC-Wuhu) in Wanzhi District, Wuhu City, fuselage and wing components made of advanced composite materials are being transported to the final assembly line. The company specializes in R&D, production and manufacturing of general aircraft, as well as general aviation industry operation services.

"The report to the 20th CPC National Congress proposed developing new frontiers and growth tracks, and 'low-altitude economy' represents precisely such a new track." said Li Guozhu, Head of Wanzhi District. The Aviation Town housing Diamond Aircraft has leveraged Wuhu's aviation industrial foundation and sci-tech innovation resources to progressively achieve localized production across the general aviation manufacturing chain, earning its place among China's Top 50 Characteristic Towns for two consecutive years.

Within this economic landscape, new drivers and competitive edges are being steadily cultivated.

On November 9, 2022, the construction of the Optoelectronics New Display Industrial Base in East Lake Science City was officially launched in "Optics Valley of China," Wuhan. Now striving to become a globally influential optoelectronics hub, "Optics Valley of China" is the birthplace of China's first optical fiber and photoelectric transmission system.

This economic landscape showcases the accelerating development of a modern industrial system.

Inside the intelligent connected super Factory No.1 of Chery Automobile in Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Area, more than 400 robots are constantly waving their mechanical arms... "Orders are in such high demand that we have to build and produce at the same time," said Jin Yibo, Deputy Chief Economist of Chery Holding Group. "Our second super factory is already under construction in the Jiangbei area."

At the Jiangbei Emerging Industrial Concentration Zone, Cao Xiaoming, Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Administrative Committee of Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Area, pointed at the construction site crowded with tower cranes and said: "This area is home to emerging industries such as new energy and intelligent connected vehicles, photovoltaic new energy, and new materials. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress proposed modernizing the industrial system. We are now translating this requirement into concrete actions to make the path of high-quality development wider and wider."

General Secretary Xi Jinping exhorted earnestly: "The Yangtze River Economic Belt spans 11 provincial-level regions along the river, traversing the eastern, central, and western regions of China. With its population size and economic output accounting for nearly half of the nation's total, it holds a critical ecological position and boasts enormous development potential. As such, it should play a vital role in implementing the new development philosophy, fostering a new development paradigm, and promoting high-quality development." 

The mighty river flows eastward, surging forward ceaselessly. Fellow Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait bear in mind their mission. On the new journey filled with glory and dreams, they are working together to paint an even more magnificent new panorama of the Yangtze River.

Source: Xinhua News Agency, Chongqing Daily