China has made significant strides in ecological conservation in recent years, restoring over 100 million mu (about 6.7 million hectares) of degraded ecosystems including mountains, forests, farmlands, lakes and deserts.
With August 15 marking National Ecology Day, the country has initiated over 52 ecosystem protection and restoration projects, according to data from the Ministry of Natural Resources. This monumental effort underscores the country's dedication to combating climate change and enhancing biodiversity.
As eco-environmental conservation red lines (ECRLs) are the lifeline of environmental preservation, China has brought exceedingly fragile areas, and areas of potentially vital environmental value within the scope of the ECRL framework.
Through drawing ECRLs and drafting ecological protection and restoration plans, the country has consolidated an overall eco-environmental conservation configuration composed of Three Eco-zones and Four Shelterbelts - the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Eco-zone, the Yellow River Eco-zone (including the Loess Plateau Ecological Barrier), the Yangtze River Eco-zone (including the Sichuan-Yunnan Ecological Barrier), and the Northeast, North, South, and Coastal Shelterbelts.
With the development of the national system of ecological security and the launch of major projects to restore key ecosystems, China's Shan-Shui Initiative comprising dozens of large-scale initiatives to restore ecosystems was honored as part of the UN's first batch of 10 World Restoration Flagships.
"Since 2016, China has witnessed notable progress in ecological conservation by restoring over 100 million mu of major ecosystems, 4.8 million mu of abandoned mining areas, nearly 1,680 kilometers of coastline and over 750,000 mu of coastal wetlands. The country's mangrove forests have expanded to about 450,000 mu," said Lu Lihua, deputy director of the Department of Territorial and Spatial Ecological Restoration with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
For the next steps, the ministry will step up efforts to further improve the integrated conservation and systematic management of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts.
China makes headway in ecological restoration, reviving over 6.7 mln hectares of nature
China makes headway in ecological restoration, reviving over 6.7 mln hectares of nature
China makes headway in ecological restoration, reviving over 6.7 mln hectares of nature
China makes headway in ecological restoration, reviving over 6.7 mln hectares of nature
The lineup for the 2025 Spring Festival movie season was officially revealed on Wednesday with six highly anticipated films set to hit the big screens in China on the first day of the Spring Festival on January 29.
The six films -- Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force, Ne Zha 2, Detective Chinatown 1900, Operation Leviathan, Boonie Bears: Future Return, and The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero -- span a range of genres and feature impressive creative teams.
Since pre-sales began on Jan 19, advanced sales for the holiday line-up were the fastest ever to reach 100 million yuan (about 13.8 million U.S. dollars).
At a launch ceremony for the Spring Festival movie season, held at the China National Film Museum in Beijing, the cast of each film highlighted the unique selling points of their movie.
"The viewers will not only uncover the hidden points of plot from the first installment of Creation of the Gods, but also get a real sense of the characters and their evolving relationships through a brand new theme," said Wuershan, director of the movie Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force.
Adapted from the classic Chinese martial arts novel by Jin Yong, The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero captures the essence of Chinese chivalry with its portrayal of selfless heroism.
described it as a story with stirring heroism.
"The soul-stirring and awe-inspiring heroic spirit conveyed by the film will be touching, memorable and romantic as well," said Tsui Hark, who directed the film.
The animated film Ne Zha 2 continues the adventures of hero Ne Zha -- a beloved Chinese mythological figure -- with a focus on comedy and spectacular visual effects.
Retaining its signature style, the popular detective series Detective Chinatown 1900 promises twists and turns with big production values and glittering special effects.
As China's first film about nuclear submarines, Operation Leviathan presents a broader underwater battlefield and more complex combat scenarios, offering a unique perspective on naval warfare.
The Great Hero -- the last chapter of the "Boonie Bears" sci-fi series -- combines extreme romance and bold imagination to take viewers on a futuristic adventure.
Different discount and subsidy policies for moviegoers during the Spring Festival were also announced at the launch event with local film authorities across the country organizing special events and promotions to encourage cinema visits.
Supporting institutions, including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China UnionPay, Maoyan Entertainment, and Taopiaopia, are expected to provide at least 600 million yuan (about 83 million U.S. dollars) in subsidies for moviegoers during the holiday season.
Six new films set to hit China's big screens on Chinese New Year's Day