Mount Qingyuan in Quanzhou. [Photo/WeChat ID: fjta12301]

The 2023 Fujian Ecological and Environmental Bulletin was released on May 30. In 2023, Fujian's natural environment stood out as excellent, securing the top spot in the nation. The province's forest coverage rate reached 65.12 percent, maintaining its leading position in the country for the 45th straight year.

In 2023, Fujian continued its successful streak in pollution prevention and control, marking the fourth consecutive year of excellence. Noteworthy progress was seen in the proportion of high-quality water (Class I-II), which surged by 5.7 percent to 68.6 percent, the highest recorded since the inception of national monitoring.

The overall seawater quality was good, with 88.7 percent of nearshore areas meeting high standards (Class I-II), reflecting a 2.9 percent improvement from the previous year. Additionally, the proportion of days with good air quality in the province's nine cities reached 98.5 percent, a 0.9 percentage point increase year-on-year.

Fujian systematically promotes the treatment of industrial, agricultural and domestic sewage, and completed the treatment of 90 percent of sewage outlets entering the river. By the end of 2023, Fujian had cleared about 470,000 metric tons of floating garbage.

In 2023, the province had made remarkable advancements in green and low-carbon development. Fuzhou received the prestigious Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award), while Xiamen and Sanming were recognized as excellent cities in the national low-carbon city pilot program.

Leading the way in building a beautiful China, Fujian integrated holistic conservation and systematic governance of its mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts in 2023. The province's efforts extended from the highest peaks to the vastest oceans, aiming to protect and manage ecosystems effectively.

Noteworthy initiatives focused on biodiversity conservation, safeguarding critical ecosystems, and executing significant restoration projects. Three cases, including Wuyishan National Park, were recognized as shining examples on the 2023 "International Day for Biological Diversity". Fujian proudly hosts 44 ecological civilization demonstration zones, showcasing its commitment to sustainable development.

Continuing its march towards progress, Fujian remains at the forefront of advancing systems development, driving institutional innovation, and exploring models for ecological civilization construction. Initiatives such as the pilot project in Nanping, aimed at unlocking the value of ecological products within the natural resources sector, underscore the province's dedication to innovation.