Shandong has made great progress in the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin, local authorities said at a recent news conference.

Flocks of migratory birds gather at the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying, Shandong province, in November. [Photo by Zhou Guangxue/for China Daily]

Shandong has been promoting the construction of wetland parks in the Yellow River Basin. A total of 112 wetland parks above the provincial level, including 33 national wetland parks and 79 provincial wetland parks, have been built in nine cities in the Yellow River Basin.

Shandong has strengthened the ecological protection systems in the Yellow River Basin. Nine special plans have been drawn up for ecological protection and restoration, conservation and intensive use of water resources, and ecological water replenishment in the area. The province has also formulated laws and regulations to promote the ecological protection and restoration of the Yellow River Delta in Dongying.

The province has since 2019 been intensifying efforts related to ecological protection and restoration. For instance, it has invested 1.08 billion yuan ($169.02 million) in 16 ecological protection and restoration projects that have improved the wetland's ecosystem and biodiversity.

The Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying is now home to 1,630 animal species and 685 species of plants. Bird species have increased from 187 to 371. The wetland is now the largest breeding ground in the world for Oriental storks and the second-largest for Saunders's gulls.