CGTN documentary highlights China-Indonesia collaboration on mangrove restoration

A new episode of "Catching A Wave 2," a China Global Television Network (CGTN) documentary series, showcases China and Indonesia's partnership in restoring coastal ecosystems, transforming degraded shores into thriving mangrove habitats, and emphasizing the vital role mangroves play in protecting coastlines and supporting biodiversity.

Released on March 28, the series examines China's role in enhancing stability and prosperity in the South China Sea, covering topics such as undersea cable networks, maritime safety, and eco-protection initiatives like mangrove restoration.

The third episode, "Guardians of the Coast," focuses on a successful mangrove restoration project in Banten, Indonesia, led by China's CHN Energy and Indonesia's National Electricity Company.

The initiative has transformed barren coastal land into a thriving ecosystem, providing natural protection against erosion and creating a sanctuary for wildlife. The restored mangrove areas now support species such as herons, marking a significant environmental achievement.

In the episode, Lu Chenjun, general manager of PT Shenhua Guohua Powerplant Jawa Bali, discussed how the project blends local and international techniques, combining traditional planting methods with advanced monitoring technologies like drones.

Paundra Hanutama, founder of the Indonesia Mangrove Conservation Foundation, highlighted the growing recognition of mangrove protection. He stressed that corporate involvement is essential, particularly in Indonesia, home to nearly a quarter of the world's mangroves, noting a slight increase in mangrove coverage.

Professor Cong Bailin of China's First Institute of Oceanography emphasized the importance of scientific collaboration. His team's rapid propagation techniques are helping restore mangrove ecosystems more efficiently, offering valuable insights for projects like Indonesia's.

Doddy Nafiudin, general affairs director of PT Shenhua Guohua Powerplant Jawa Bali, underscored the need for collaboration between local communities, corporations, and governments to ensure the success of environmental conservation. He believes collective efforts are key to achieving long-term sustainability.

This joint project between China and Indonesia demonstrates the power of international collaboration in addressing environmental challenges and highlights the role of technology and corporate responsibility in conservation efforts, noted industry insiders of both countries.

CGTN documentary highlights China-Indonesia collaboration on mangrove restoration

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative, has handled 487,000 cross-border trips with passengers from 112 countries and regions in the past two years, according to China Railway Kunming Group.

Since the cross-border passenger service was officially launched on April 13, 2023, the railway linking Kunming of southwest China's Yunnan Province and Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, has facilitated increased trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two countries.

This year, tourist bookings from ASEAN countries to Xishuangbanna, a popular tourist destination in Yunnan Province, have increased by more than 250 percent this year, with hotel occupancy rates consistently exceeding 85 percent and a surge of over 35 percent in tourism spending.

To meet growing passenger demand, railway authorities have taken a series of targeted measures, including increasing the international passenger trains between Xishuangbanna and Laos' Luang Prabang from four to six days per week, and adding a stop at Nateuy station in Laos.

The number of cross-border passenger seats per train has increased from 250 at the outset to 390, while daily inbound and outbound passenger flow has surged from 300 to a peak of 1,300.

The railway has also stimulated investment and trade along the route. The Saysettha Development Zone in Vientiane has attracted over 150 companies from nine countries and regions, including China, Japan, and Malaysia, generating an annual output of over 2 billion U.S. dollars.

China-Laos Railway handles over 480,000 cross-border trips in 2 years