Shandong province recently presented its initiatives and accomplishments in ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin in a series of news conferences.

The province has been dedicated to the conservation and governance of the Yellow River Basin, resulting in a significant enhancement in the ecological and environmental conditions of the region. Restoration and protection efforts have resulted in the creation of freshwater marsh wetlands that cover 74,000 mu (about 49.33 square kilometers) and the removal of 300 oil wells in the core and buffer zones. The province has also made strides in innovative cross-provincial and cross-county ecological compensation mechanisms within the river basin.

Shandong's capacity for water resource management has undergone constant improvement. The province has implemented modern water network projects, achieving substantial progress in the flood prevention and management of crucial sections within the backbone river systems.

To promote high-quality development, the province is striving to substitute traditional energy sources with new ones and undergo green transformation. The province has reduced the energy consumption per 10,000 yuan ($1,393.35) GDP by 11.1 percent since 2021, and generated significant revenues through 180 clusters in its top 10 emerging industries. The province, known for its significant capacity in photovoltaic power generation and new energy storage, is also expediting the development of five clean energy bases.

Furthermore, Shandong is actively engaged in preserving and promoting the cultural resources of the Yellow River. The province has organized multiple thematic forums, developed cultural experience corridors along the river, and established distinctive cultural platforms to tell the "Yellow River story" of Shandong in the new era.