On October 25th, during a press conference held by the Shaanxi Provincial Government Information Office, Vice Director Zhang Jindong of the Shaanxi Provincial Ecology and Environment Department shared insights into the ongoing ecological protection and high-quality development efforts in the Yellow River basin. He stated, “Shaanxi is making significant strides in the battle for ecological protection and governance along the Yellow River. The regional water quality in 2023 has reached its best level in almost two decades.”
Zhang noted that, in recent years, the endangered species, the crested ibis, known for its high habitat requirements, has begun to migrate beyond the Qinling Mountains, establishing homes along the Yellow River in Tongchuan and the Wuding River area in northern Shaanxi.
Through collaborative efforts with neighboring provinces including Shanxi, Henan, and Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi has implemented a horizontal ecological compensation mechanism for the mainstem of the Yellow River. This initiative aims to ensure that water quality remains classified as Grade II, while also promoting comprehensive ecological compensation practices throughout 26 key rivers, including the Weihe, Yanhe, and Shichuan rivers.
To improve the water quality of the Weihe River, Shaanxi has adopted various measures under the “Prevent, Build, Manage, and Treat” strategy. Over the past five years, the water quality index of the Weihe’s mainstem has remarkably improved, dropping from 0.31 in 2018 to 0.23 in 2023—a reduction in pollution index by 19%. Additionally, all first-tier tributaries flowing into the Yellow River now meet a minimum standard of Grade III.
Zhang emphasized, “The ecological protection and governance of the Yellow River basin require addressing issues both in the water and on the land.” He explained that stormwater discharge outlets are critical to controlling water pollutants and play a pivotal role in addressing various environmental challenges such as water quality violations and polluted bodies of water.
Shaanxi has meticulously assessed all discharge outlets in the basin, targeting 2,158 discharge points for precise tracing and systematic remediation. Significant reductions in pollutants from urban wastewater treatment plants have been achieved, and all 32 provincial-level industrial parks have been equipped with wastewater treatment facilities.
Furthermore, Shaanxi is actively promoting circular development. Cities like Yan’an and Yulin have been designated as national pilot cities for the recycling of reclaimed water, enhancing the purification and resource utilization of treated wastewater. The province is also advancing its “Waste-free City” initiative, pioneering “waste-free cells” and “waste-free groups” to accelerate the adoption of green production and lifestyle practices.
Looking ahead, Zhang reaffirmed Shaanxi’s commitment to reinforcing precise, scientific, and legally compliant pollution control measures, as well as coordinating the management of water resources, environmental quality, and ecological systems. The goal is to build a comprehensive ecological governance framework that connects upstream and downstream efforts, ultimately elevating the standards of ecological civilization in the Yellow River basin.
