China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment has announced that of the water bodies under national monitoring, 2,573 will be included in the construction of "beautiful rivers and lakes."

The ministry requires that the construction project should highlight the core of "beauty" and meet basic conditions like "abundant water and diverse aquatic life." Six references have been defined, including ecological water security as well as aquatic plant and animal conservation.

Since the launch of the construction of "beautiful rivers and lakes" in 2021, 56 outstanding cases have been highlighted, including Maozhou River in Guangdong Province, Yundang Lake in Fujian Province and Qiandao Lake in Zhejiang Province.

Flowing through the Pearl River Delta, the Maozhou River used to be heavily polluted, but it has now transformed into a business card of Shenzhen City, offering pleasant lanes for boat races.

Volunteers patrol on the Qiandao Lake, Zhejiang Province, March 12, 2024. /CFP

It is estimated that 40 percent of the water bodies on the list will meet the requirements by 2027, presenting lucid water, green banks and various fish in the harmonious living space.