The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held a meeting on January 20th, chaired by President Xi Jinping. The meeting deliberated on the “Opinions on Comprehensively Promoting Ecological Conservation and High-Quality Development in the Yellow River Basin.”
The meeting emphasized that ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin are long-term strategic priorities crucial for China’s sustainable development. It stressed the need to focus on environmental protection and conservation governance. The meeting also underscored the importance of deepening reforms and ensuring the full implementation of the Yellow River Protection Law in pursuit of a comprehensive green transformation of development patterns, the meeting called for adherence to natural laws and prioritization of a balanced relationship between water resources, population, grain, and energy.
A key takeaway from the meeting was the need to establish a sustainable ecological conservation framework for the Yellow River basin. Specific recommendations included: improving water conservation in upstream areas, strengthening soil and water conservation in the midstream, and promoting wetland preservation and ecological governance in the downstream. Water resources should be treated as the most pressing constraint, with all potential for water conservation being fully explored. Ensuring the long-term safety of the Yellow River, as well as the security of critical dikes, reservoirs, and infrastructure, is paramount.
The meeting also called for further comprehensive reforms and greater alignment with regional strategies, such as the Development of the Western Regions and the Rise of Central China, to drive continued progress in high-quality development. Attention must also be given to protecting, inheriting, and promoting Yellow River culture, preserving ethnic traditions, and integrating culture with tourism. Efforts from all relevant departments are necessary to fully implement the decisions of the CPC Central Committee, effectively advance key tasks, and push forward major reform initiatives.
