Tai'an in Shandong province will step up conservation efforts for an ecological corridor in the lower reaches of the Yellow River Basin.

During a news conference held by the local government on Dec 5, Zang Yuhai, director of the city's forestry bureau, spoke about the work of the special task force that is undertaking ecological conservation and the progress made in promoting ecological governance in the Yellow River Basin.

Since the implementation of the national strategy for the Yellow River protection, the special task force has been focusing on seven major goals and implemented three main tasks with the aim of making substantial breakthroughs in ecological protection and restoration by 2025, Zang said.

Efforts will be made to enhance the ecological function of Tai'an, he said. By 2025, about 533 hectares of afforestation will be completed and 13.33 square kilometers of forest will be cultivated. Natural protected areas will also account for no less than 8 percent of the total land area in the region.

The ecological restoration of the Dawen River Basin will be strengthened as well. By 2025, an additional 225 sq km of soil erosion control area will be treated, and at least three provincial-level beautiful demonstration rivers and lakes will be constructed.

In addition, the ecological governance of the Dongping Lake area will be promoted.

Through these endeavors, Tai'an aims to play an active role in the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin and contribute to the overall environmental well-being and sustainable development of the region.