China's top political advisory body on Tuesday discussed wetland protection along the Yangtze River economic belt.
The Yangtze economic belt covers 11 provinces and municipalities, involving more than 40 percent of the country's population and GDP. Wetland protection along the belt will be key to measuring the government's success in promoting a green society.
Due to dense population and intensive industrial development, the wetland along the belt faces problems like shrinking acreage, degenerating ecology, dwindling biodiversity and worsening water pollution. The problems need to be addressed through not only the governmental but also market channels.
Some participants suggested prioritizing water protection along the belt, improvements to the law and education on wetland protection.
Political advisors meet every two weeks to discuss current economic and social issues. The seminar was presided over by Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
