How China is protecting wetlands through large-scale conservation, public access, and a nationwide governance system, shaping shared ecological futures.
Wetlands are among the world’s most valuable ecosystems. They support biodiversity, regulate water systems, reduce climate risks, and carry long-standing cultural meaning. Yet globally, wetlands continue to shrink under pressure from urban expansion, pollution, and climate change.
In recent years, China has expanded efforts to protect and restore wetlands. More importantly, it has begun to shape a governance approach that combines large-scale conservation, public access, and local development. This shift marks a new stage in the management—and sharing—of wetlands.
China in the Global Wetland Landscape
In global terms, China now ranks first in Asia and fourth worldwide by total wetland area. The scale alone makes its policies significant. Wetlands in China play a key role in regional water security, biodiversity protection, and migratory bird routes that extend far beyond national borders.
Wetlands are one of Earth’s three major ecosystems. Decisions made at this scale affect not only local environments but also global ecological stability. As international attention increasingly turns to wetland loss, China’s experience offers insight into how large countries manage both protection and use.
From Conservation to Shared Space
Beyond size, access has become a defining feature of China’s wetland strategy.
The country has certified 22 International Wetland Cities, the highest number worldwide. It has also established 903 national wetland parks, with around 90 per cent open to the public free of charge. Together, these sites attract an estimated 320 million visits each year.
This reflects a clear change in thinking. Wetlands are no longer treated only as restricted reserves. They are increasingly integrated into urban life, environmental education, and leisure. Public access is now seen as part of long-term conservation, rather than a threat to it.
A Nationwide Protection Network
To support this approach, China has built a tiered wetland protection system.
The network includes 82 wetlands of international importance, 80 nationally important wetlands, and more than 1,200 provincial-level sites. Each level follows different management rules, allowing protection measures to adapt to local conditions while remaining aligned with national priorities and international commitments.
At the same time, restoration efforts continue to expand. China has implemented more than 3,800 wetland protection and restoration projects, adding or rehabilitating more than 1,000,000 hectares. Targeted programs have restored mangroves and controlled invasive species, while international cooperation has deepened through initiatives such as the International Mangrove Centre, whose membership has grown to 20 countries.
As a result, wetland protection increasingly functions as a connected system rather than a collection of isolated sites.
Where Policy Meets Daily Life
This governance model is visible on the ground.
Hengshui Lake, located on the North China Plain, preserves a complete wetland ecosystem that includes marshes, open water, grasslands, and woodlands. It also serves as a key stop along the East Asia–Australasia migratory bird flyway. To date, 336 bird species have been recorded here, earning the site the nickname “the Blue Sapphire of East Asia.”
In recent years, birdwatching and nature photography have grown in popularity around the lake. To balance public interest with ecological protection, local authorities introduced a detailed birdwatching map. It marks seasonal bird habitats and recommended observation points, helping visitors reduce disturbance while still enjoying close contact with nature. Birdwatching tourism has since become a stable source of income for nearby communities.
In central China, long-term wetland restoration in areas such as Dongting Lake has also helped stabilise wintering waterbird populations, despite rising climate pressure and more frequent droughts.
Looking toward the next planning period, China aims to further strengthen wetland-related laws, expand baseline surveys and dynamic monitoring, and explore ways to better reflect the economic value of ecosystem services. The goal is to align ecological protection with local livelihoods, ensuring that conservation efforts remain resilient over time.
China’s wetland story is no longer only about protection. It is increasingly about governance, public participation, and shared futures.
Written by Ronnie Yu, Chart Design by Di Wang, additional reporting by CNS, Xinhua.
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