Dedicated ocean defenders in China have stayed committed to turning their professional knowledge and skills into concrete actions to keep China's seas clean, with their efforts gradually bearing fruit.
Their dedication aligns with a sweeping three-year initiative launched nationwide in 2024, targeting 65 bays adjacent to urban coastal areas for a comprehensive cleanup of marine debris.
Wang Yixin, a 71-year-old volunteer from Zhoushan, a city in east China's Zhejiang Province known for its abundant fishery resources, has devoted 51 years to marine-related work.
In 2020, he and a group of like-minded friends founded a non-profit organization to promote ocean protection.
In August, 2021, Wang's team conducted their first survey of island reefs and fishing grounds, capturing extensive footage of abandoned fishing gear.
He said that abandoned fishing gear poses serious harm to fishing resources.
"[Discarded] fishing tools often become entangled underwater, forcing fishermen to cut them loose. Then they drift at sea, trapping fish and causing irreversible harm to marine life and sustainable fisheries," Wang said.
The team has therefore given extra attention to how to prevent fishermen from throwing their unused fishing tackle overboard.
"We noticed that our country had introduced some measures and policies supporting the recycling of discarded gear and encouraging renewable fishing nets. Our team is currently developing biodegradable nets at a faster pace, which we expect to start using on a small scale after this year's fishing moratorium," Wang said.
Another volunteer is Fu Junsheng, an artist from Yantai City in Shandong Province.
As an oil painting major in college, Fu often painted coastal scenes, but the sight of plastic bottles and old fishing nets scattered along the beaches conflicted sharply with his vision of blue seas.
Eight years ago, Fu joined in a public welfare project in Changdao, an island county under the jurisdiction of Yantai, and has since dedicated himself to transforming marine debris into art.
"Two years ago, I found a cup noodle wrapper from 1993, still intact after more than 30 years. I hope to express my environmental concerns and raise awareness about ocean pollution. I also shared photos of marine litter online to encourage public participation. When netizens posted their own beach cleanup photos, I realized I'm not alone," Fu said.
The persistence and dedication of volunteers like Wang and Fu have become a powerful force driving improvements in China's coastal marine environment.
Dedicated volunteers work to protect China's coastal waters
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
