Ministry of Ecology and Environment and other departments: By 2027, the completion rate of beautiful rivers and lakes should reach around 40%.

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in conjunction with multiple departments, officially released the "Action Plan for the Protection and Construction of Beautiful Rivers and Lakes" today. This is another comprehensive strategic deployment made by China in water ecological environment protection, following the "Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution," also known as the "Ten Measures for Water." Currently, China's water ecological environment protection has shifted from primarily pollution control to coordinated management and overall promotion of basin elements such as water resources, water environment, and water ecology. The action plan released today defines strict standards for beautiful rivers and lakes: in terms of water resources, maintaining the lifeline of "having rivers and water" through the use of recycled water and ecological flow regulation; in terms of water ecology, restoring vitality to water bodies and buffer zones, reintroducing indigenous fish and submerged plants to achieve an "ecological spectacle of fish and grass;" in terms of water environment, controlling pollution emissions, ensuring excellent water quality, meeting the leisure needs of citizens, and realizing a beautiful vision of "harmony between people and water." According to the requirements, by 2027, the construction rate of beautiful rivers and lakes should reach about 40%; by 2030, significant progress should be made in the construction of beautiful rivers and lakes; by 2035, beautiful rivers and lakes should be basically completed.