China's capacity to safeguard water security in the Yellow River Basin has been significantly strengthened and the ecological environment in the region has been steadily improved over the past five years since the introduction of the ecological conservation and high-quality development strategy.
The Yellow River, the "mother river" of the Chinese nation, is the second-longest river in China, spanning 5,464 kilometers. It supplies water to 12 percent of China's population in more than 50 cities and irrigates 17 percent of the country's arable land.
The Yellow River basin had been the cradle of political, economic, and cultural centers of the country for 3,000 years in the more than 5,000-year history of the Chinese civilization.
The river has maintained a continuous flow for 25 consecutive years since August 1999, thanks to the implementation of unified water allocation.
In the past five years, the mainstream of the Yellow River has supplied over 130 billion cubic meters of water.
"Over the past 25 years, the mainstream of the Yellow River has supplied over 540 billion cubic meters of water to the basin and the surrounding areas, effectively supporting the steady socioeconomic devleopment of the region," said Yuan Xiaoli, director with the water resources scheduling department under the water resources management bureau of the Yellow River Conservancy Commission.
Since ancient times, Chinese people have struggled against the flooding of the Yellow River, and conservation of the river has always been high on the country's agenda.
"As of now, standardized embankments stretching 1,371 kilometers have been completed in the downstream of the Yellow River, serving as a flood control barrier, an emergency response route, and an ecological landscape. This can effectively prevent dam breach and overtopping," said Zhang Hongxing, deputy director with the planning department of the commission.
The Yellow River basin has seen great improvement in the ecological environment after continuous conservation efforts.
"The Yellow River delta national nature reserve has witnessed a substantial surge in both the variety and population of birds, rising from 187 species in 1992 to 373 species today. This expansion has greatly enriched the biodiversity of the region," said Yuan.
Development strategy enhances water security, improves eco-environment in Yellow River Basin
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a non-binding resolution on Wednesday demanding an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory within the next 12 months by an overwhelming margin.
The resolution was adopted with 124 votes in favor, 14 against and 43 abstentions, during the UNGA's 10th emergency special session considering Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The resolution demanding that Israel comply with all its legal obligations under international law, including advisory opinions by the International Court of Justice, was introduced by the State of Palestine on Tuesday and was co-sponsored by more than two dozen nations.
By the newly adopted resolution, the UNGA "demands that Israel brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which constitutes a wrongful act of a continuing character entailing its international responsibility and do so no later than 12 months from the adoption of the present resolution."
The UNGA also demands that Israel comply without delay with all its legal obligations under international law, including as stipulated by the International Court of Justice.
In remarks before the vote, Mohamed Issa Abushahab, the permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, said the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza must be addressed through unimpeded access to those in need, a ceasefire deal and the full implementation of all related Security Council resolutions.
A credible peace process must be relaunched to work towards a two-State solution to diffuse this conflict, he said, expressing support for the State of Palestine's full statehood and UN membership. "The time has come to end the suffering," he noted.
Introducing the draft resolution on Tuesday, Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, called for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He said the Palestinian people have been steadfast in the pursuit of their inalienable rights, just like all other citizens worldwide who seek self-determination.
"The Palestinians want to live, not survive -- they want to be safe in their homes, they want their children to go to school without fear. They want to be free in reality as they are in spirit," said Mansour.
UNGA calls for end to Israeli occupation in Palestine within a year
UNGA calls for end to Israeli occupation in Palestine within a year
