President Xi Jinping’s Ecological Vision Transforms Xiamen into an Exemplar of Environmental Harmony

Xiamen, The Gulf Observer: In the picturesque city of Xiamen, located in east China’s Fujian Province, the natural beauty unfolds with egrets gracefully dancing on Yundang Lake, the lush greenery of Gulangyu Island contrasting with its red tiles, and the seamless blend of sea and sky in Wuyuan Bay. This enchanting scene is not just nature’s gift but the result of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s enduring commitment to ecological protection, which has shaped Xiamen into a model of harmony between mankind and nature.

President Xi, deeply connected to Xiamen through various leadership roles, has spearheaded ecological initiatives that have yielded remarkable results over the years. Xiamen, as one of the key birthplaces and early adopters of Xi’s ecological ideas, has consistently pursued systematic ecological governance, contributing to high-quality development through marine ecological restoration for over three decades.

Despite its current status as an International Garden City, a United Nations Habitat Scroll of Honor award winner, and a National Forest City, Xiamen’s beauty wasn’t always apparent. In 1985, when the State Council expanded Xiamen’s Special Economic Zone, President Xi, then in a leadership position in the city, recognized the ecological value of Xiamen. His stance emphasized that development should never compromise the environment.

A turning point in Xiamen’s ecological journey was the cleanup of Yundang Lake, once heavily polluted due to industrial and domestic sewage discharge. Xi chaired a special meeting on March 30, 1988, initiating a transformative effort. The city established a leadership group, allocated significant financial resources, shut down industrial enterprises around the lake, built sewage plants, and revitalized the water body. The success of this endeavor was celebrated with a dragon boat race on Yundang Lake in 1992.

Xi’s focus on ecological development continued during his 15-year development plan for Xiamen, where environmental issues were addressed as a strategic goal. His commitment extended beyond his tenure in Xiamen, shaping the city’s transformation into a hub that balances economic development with environmental protection.

In 2002, as deputy Party chief and governor of Fujian, Xi proposed shifting Xiamen’s urban planning from island-based to bay-based, aiming to create a “beautiful blue bay” surrounding the city. This initiative led to comprehensive renovation projects in five bay areas, focusing on marine ecological protection and restoration.

Guided by Xi’s ideas, Xiamen pioneered the concept of comprehensive bay-area governance, investing significantly in marine ecological protection and restoration. Over 36 years, the city has invested 105.6 billion yuan to construct a bay city where humans and nature coexist harmoniously.

Xiamen’s commitment to ecological civilization is evident in its legislative efforts. In 1994, as a special economic zone with legislative power, Xiamen enacted its first substantive local regulation on environmental protection. Since then, the city has promulgated more than 30 regulations and rules related to ecological and environmental construction, as well as resource protection.

Xiamen’s success in ecological transformation has not only enhanced its natural and ecological wealth but also boosted its social and economic prosperity. The tourism sector, benefiting from improved ecology, witnessed continued growth, recording nearly 110 million tourist visits in 2023.

“Clear waters and green mountains are not only natural and ecological wealth, but also social and economic wealth,” President Xi Jinping has emphasized. His ecological vision has become the consensus and action guide for the entire Party and society in China.

Cui Yonghui, Party chief of Xiamen, affirmed the city’s commitment to implementing Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization, striving to build itself into a beacon of a beautiful China in the new era.