The year 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”. Since the concept was put forward, China’s central state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have been deeply engaged in ecological restoration projects, achieving remarkable results in transforming and rejuvenating natural ecosystems.
From desert to oasis: Targeted soil restoration
The 3-gigawatt photovoltaic project in Zhongwei, Ningxia, invested by China Longyuan Power Group Corporation Limited under China Energy Investment Corporation Co., Ltd. and constructed by China Nuclear Industry Huaxing Construction Co., Ltd. under China National Nuclear Corporation, has significantly improved vegetation coverage and biodiversity in its E-section. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The Ulan Suhai Lake ecological restoration project by the Third Construction Co., Ltd. of China Construction First Group Corporation Limited is the largest integrated pilot project in China for the management of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands, and deserts, covering a total area of 14,700 square kilometers.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
In June 2022, China National Petroleum Corporation’s Tarim Oilfield launched the zero-carbon demonstration project for the Tarim Desert Highway, replacing oil-powered irrigation pumps for its ecological shelterbelt with electric systems, achieving zero carbon emissions — making it China’s first zero-carbon desert highway.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Sinochem Holdings Corporation Ltd.’s land remediation project in Longhai No. 03 Irrigation Area, Da’an City, Jilin Province, is the largest single saline-alkali land-to-paddy field conversion project in western Jilin, covering 2,010 hectares.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
From mines to green hills: Effective mine rehabilitation
In 2019, China Tiegong Investment & Construction Group Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Railway Engineering Co., Ltd., began an urban renewal and ecological restoration project in the Majiagou coal mining area in Kailuan, Tangshan, transforming the site into a lush “ecological garden.”[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The 11th Jiangsu Horticultural Exposition Park, designed by China Architecture Design & Research Group under China Construction Technology Consulting Co. Ltd., restored a former quarry into a continuous green corridor connecting the park with surrounding mountains.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
From polluted rivers to clear waters: Reviving aquatic ecosystems
The Yilong Lake North Shore’s damaged lakeshore buffer zone restoration project, a signature initiative of Yunnan’s ecological civilization drive in Honghe Prefecture, was designed by China Machinery International Engineering Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd. under China National Machinery Industry Corporation. In 2023, it reduced nitrogen by 125 tons, phosphorus by 19 tons, and organic matter by 1,231 tons, effectively halting marsh degradation.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
China National Complete Plant Import and Export Group Corporation Limited, a subsidiary of China General Technology (Group) Holding Co Ltd, successfully improved the water quality of Baiyangdian Lake and restored 3.78 million square meters of water bodies in pilot projects in Xiong’an New Area and Ningbo.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Power Construction Corporation of China’s Fuhe River Estuary Wetland Water Purification Project in Xiong’an New Area is the largest functional artificial wetland in North China, covering 6,345 mu and treating 250,000 cubic meters of water per day.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group’s Jiayu County Riverside Ecological Improvement Demonstration Project in Xianning, Hubei, upgraded water quality to Grade III after comprehensive treatment of a small lake.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
CCCC Guangzhou Dredging Co., Ltd. expanded lcoal mangrove forests to 546 hectares through the Zhanjiang Marine Ecological Protection and Restoration Project.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Gezhouba Group Eco-Environmental Protection Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd., rehabilitated polluted Yawei Creek into a scenic river using integrated water treatment technologies.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
From old sites to new landscapes: Rebuilding vibrant ecology
The greening and landscaping project for Zhangjiakou Competition Zone of the Beijing 2022 Olympics and Paralympics, designed by the Norendar International Ltd. under China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, covered 950 mu (63.3 hectares) in Chongli District, achieving an 85 percent forest coverage rate and a 98 percent sapling survival rate.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
China Railway First Survey and Design Institute Group Co., Ltd. undertook the Huoshaogou Water Environment Improvement Project in Xining’s Chengxi District. The project covers an area of 35.3 hectares, effectively restoring the local ecological vitality.[Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
