China丨Yellow River protection efforts making progress

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China has made significant strides in enhancing the ecological environment of the Yellow River Basin, according to Li Hongzhong, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. Reporting to the country's top legislature on Sunday, Li highlighted key achievements under the Yellow River Protection Law, which took effect on April 1, 2023, following its adoption in October 2022. For the second consecutive year, the quality of the Yellow River's main course has met Grade II standards, the vice-chairman said. China uses a five-tier quality system for surface water, with Grade I being the highest. Li also pointed to a significant increase in vegetation coverage in the basin, with 84.9 percent of the area showing positive trends. Over the past two decades, the basin's "green line" has shifted westward by about 300 kilometers. In 2023, nine provincial-level regions along the Yellow River completed afforestation efforts covering 1.7 million hectares. Additionally, around 16,0 ………………………………