6 xiamenspecial Wednesday, A ugust 27, 2014 CHI n a d a IL Y Protecting, restoring beaches and islands

By Fu Chao [email protected]

The Oceans and Fisheries Bureau of has made a series of reforms to better manage marine resources and facilities. The coastal city in southeastern is famed for its ocean, beaches, islands and a booming economy. The bureau has released a com- prehensive plan to rehabilitate the city’s bays, seashore and islands with a focus on preservation. By 2016, the city is expected to gain the status of a national oceanic demonstration area. Wuyuan Bay used to be a cluster of fish farms with serious sanitation problems. Since 2002, the city gov- ernment has invested some 230 mil- lion yuan ($37.4 million) restoring a total area of more than 70 sq km. Wan Yijiong / for hina daily Today, the bay has become a popu- Xiamen locals celebrate the rising sun on the beach. The coastal city will host the upcoming Ocean-Related Ministerial Meeting under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation framework. lar tourism spot with beautiful ocean and residential area with better infra- structure. Seven other bays are also undergo- ing restoration. Ocean enlivens vibrant Xiamen As a recreational center, Xiamen’s seashore is an important part of everyday local life. The city govern- Marine economy and ecology ment has put an emphasis on pro- tecting and renewing this natural add GDP and quality of life charm. Starting from protecting rocks and sand on the beach, it then planted trees mangrove forest. By Yang Feiyue The city has improved sea areas The city now has about half a square [email protected] through de-silting, seal walls, man- kilometer of mangrove forest with the agement of mangrove forests and long-term goal to reach 1.3 sq km. The coastal city of Xiamen in Fuji- beach restoration since the turn of Baicheng near an province is integrating its marine the century to maintain a healthy is a renowned beach in the area. In ecology into the full range of its eco- marine ecology system. the future it will be home to a 24.87 nomic, political, cultural and social Ten sewage facilities have been sq km State-level ocean park that will development, said local officials built that can treat 833,400 tons of feature scenery, beaches, islands and The 390 sq km city has about 234 wastewater a day, said Kang. entertainment facilities. km of coastline and 17 uninhab- The de-silting work over 51 sq km Almost three-quarters of the ited islands as well as nearly 2,000 of sea helps improve the city’s hydro- islands in Xiamen — some 17 — are marine species including the Chi- dynamic conditions and scenery. uninhabited. With plans underway nese White Dolphin and the lance- “We plan to restore one to two to develop the islands, protection is let, both rare species, said Kang Tao, uninhabited islands every year, have the priority, according to the Oceans deputy mayor of Xiamen. five beach islands covered with man- and Fisheries Bureau. The height of The city made remarkable prog- grove forests totaling 44.8 hectares, buildings, waste treatment solutions ress after it was named a national and increase marine life,” he said. and other aspects of development special economic zone by the State Kang stressed that Xiamen will will be strictly regulated. Council in 1980 and also made long continue to push ahead with devel- According to the bureau, the strides in marine management. opment of the emerging marine ocean in the west of the city has been It has cooperated with the envi- industry. affected by land pollution. The gov- ronmental organization Partner- Added value created by the city’s The city’s well-preserved ecology draws wild birds to its wetlands. Zheng Baozhi /for China daily ernment will renew the area’s pipes ships in the Environmental Manage- marine economy rose from 9.46 bil- and gutters to tightly control what ment for the Seas of East Asia — or lion yuan ($1.6 billion) in 2003 to build a coastal industrial zone fea- flows into the ocean. It will also step PEMSEA — since 1994 and has 28.4 billion in 2011, accounting for turing petrochemicals, yacht manu- up efforts in ocean sanitation by established comprehensive marine 11.2 percent of local GDP, according facturing and maintenance busi- 11.2 234 expanding the area covered. management, Kang said. to government statistics. nesses,” Kang said. percent km With facilities and the environ- World Ocean Week organized The local government will strive Support will also go to coastal ment improving, the city has a bet- of local GDP is generated by the of coastline by the city government, the State to realize an annual growth rate of tourism development, according to maritime economy ter backdrop for its colorful oceanic Oceanic Administration, the United 15 percent in added value in the Kang. It generated 1.8 billion yuan events like a regattas, sailing compe- Nations Development Program and marine economy, which is projected in revenue last year, up 18.1 percent. titions and beachside cultural festi- PEMSEA has been held annually in to reach 51 billion yuan in 2015 and “Xiamen is on a sustainable Xiamen is on a sustainable development path vals, local officials said. Xiamen since 2005 for coastal cit- 102 billion yuan in 2020, according development path featuring marine featuring marine resource utilization and The bureau is also working on ies around the world to share their to the city’s plan. resource utilization and ecological ecological construction.” building a marine museum and a experience in marine management, The city’s port cargo throughput construction,” the deputy mayor marine culture plaza. he said. reached 156 million tons in 6.47 said. “We have managed to maintain Kang Tao, Xiamen deputy mayoR Xiamen Ocean Week, an annual “The Xiamen government holds million standard containers in the overall balance of the marine event showcasing the city’s latest a series of events such as Environ- 2011. Marine transportation gener- environment in Xiamen.” developments in the marine industry, ment Day and the national Ocean ated 2.92 billion yuan in revenues, Xiamen was twice named a and 2009 for its coastal zone man- as the local population grew from has attracted attention from around Publicity Day to popularize marine up 12.4 percent from the year pre- national advanced city for integrated agement and sustainable develop- 930,000 to 3.53 million. the world. This year, the event will knowledge among the public and vious. marine management by the State ment. Local GDP maintained an aver- focus on the marine economy to seal encourage them to protect rare “The Xiamen government will Oceanic Administration. It won Xiamen’s urban area expanded age growth rate of 17.1 percent to more deals for the charming coastal marine animals,” he said. extend marine industry chain and awards from the PEMSEA in 2006 ‘from‘ 14 sq km to 230 sq km in 2011 surpass 301.8 billion yuan last year. city. Integrating land and sea development

By Yang Feiyue stepped up ecological efforts in 2002. Jiulong River, the second biggest [email protected] The city’s development model was river in . It has also contrib- recognized by Seeking Truth maga- uted 160 million yuan ($26 million) The Xiamen city government will zine, a Chinese government publica- annually to Fujian’s environment integrate and coordinate land and sea tion, on the 87th anniversary of the improvement since 2011, including development to fully tap its coastal Party’s establishment. 80 million yuan for water environ- natural resources, local officials said. Over the past 20 years, the Xia- ment treatment of major rivers. As a modern international port men government has continued to Other initiatives by local authori- city and one of China’s special eco- improve laws covering the marine ties include investment of 1.5 billion nomic zones, Xiamen enjoys natu- environment and local nature pre- yuan to build a 6.76 sq km park in the ral beauty, quality development and serves, as well as water resources and Xinglinwan area and a 35 km sewage social harmony, they said. uninhabited island management. pipeline that can collect 76,900 tons The city has maintained about 18 The government has also intro- of wastewater daily. percent annual economic growth duced a range of ecological elements The effort has significantly over the past 30 years, yet has in urban planning. improved water quality in Xinglin- retained an appealing ecological “Ecological resources are the most wan, turning it into a waterfront environment. It has been named an valuable of all in Fujian, and the pro- district with harmonious environ- international garden city and won a vincial government has put in great mental and economic development. Haicang Bridge is one of the city’s landmark structures. Li Luanhan / for China daily string of other honors including the effort to build competitive industries A 12.56 sq km wetland park was UN Habitat Award. based on them,” said a government also built at the Wuyuanwan area extra 560 million yuan to improve out 220 million cubic meters of silt years and the city’s experience has The city government started to official. with more than 1 billion yuan spent Yundang Lake’s surrounding shore- and restoring 1.5 sq km of wetland been promoted by the International focus on ecological conservation The local government gives a on wastewater collection, landscap- line and scenery. parks. Maritime Organization. and sustainable development at the priority to public well-being and ing and de-silting. Local authorities have also poured They have also started protection The city has won awards for out- beginning of the century. strengthened environment and pub- In addition, the Xiamen govern- more than 750 million yuan into work on rare sea life to ensure bio- standing management from the Anticipating President Xi Jinping’s lic facility construction. ment spent nearly 700 million on comprehensive treatment of adjacent logical diversity. Global Environment Facility, the call to take full advantage of Xiamen’s Since 2004, the city government treatment of Yundang, Haicang and sea, removing 85,000 breeding nets Xiamen has been named a national United Nations Development Pro- natural resources and build it into an has earmarked funds to improve Tiandi lakes. and cages, developing 75.3 sq km of advanced city in comprehensive sea gram, and the International Mari- ecological city, the local government the environment upstream on the In 2011, the government put in mudflats for aquaculture, clearing management for seven consecutive time Organization.