The Yellow River, China's second-longest river, has achieved 26 consecutive years of uninterrupted flow, thanks to decades of efforts to harness the river featuring protection and management, according to the Yellow River Conservancy Commission on Tuesday.
At 08:00 local time Tuesday, the Lijin hydrological station, located at the river's lowermost reaches, recorded a real-time flow of 588 cubic meters per second.
This underscores the success of water resources unified dispatch started in 1999, ensuring the river's continuous flow for over a quarter of a century.
The Yellow River and the Yangtze River are regarded as the "mother rivers" of the Chinese nation. The Yellow River basin had been the political, economic, and cultural centers of the country for as long as 3,000 years in the 5,000-year history of the Chinese civilization.
Today, the 5,464-km-long waterway feeds 12 percent of China's population, irrigates 17 percent of its arable land, and supplies water to more than 50 large and medium-sized cities.
However, throughout its history, the Yellow River used to suffer from frequent dike breaks and course changes.
Between the 1970s and 1990s, the lower reaches of the Yellow River frequently dried up. In 1997, the Yellow River dried up for 226 days, covering a total length of 704 kilometers.
Due to its incomparable historical, cultural and economic significance, together with the environmental impact it brings, China has made great efforts to harness the Yellow River over recent years. Dams were built to generate power and control flood and silt. Large afforestation projects were carried out to reduce soil erosion of the Loess Plateau.
During the 2024-2025 period, the Yellow River's main stream has supplied over 22.3 billion cubic meters of water, sustaining ecological preservation and fostering high-quality development throughout the Yellow River basin.
China's water resource management sustains perennial flow of Yellow River for 26 consecutive years
Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon.
Voting began at 06:00 local time on Sunday. At 16:00, an election official at a polling station in Yangon's Latha township announced the closure of the polling station.
Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments).
The second phase of the election was held in 100 townships across 12 of the 14 regions and states. In the Yangon region, it was held in 16 townships, including the townships of Latha, Bahan, Kyimyindaing and Kawhmu.
"We welcome the election, which is expected to bring new changes to the country," said a Yangon resident.
"I hope the parties can lead us and make it a better country, which is why I support the election," said another voter.
Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election is being held in three phases, with the first phase held in 102 townships on Dec 28 last year, and the third phase scheduled for Jan 25 this year in 63 townships.
"The parliament is scheduled to convene in March. Following the conclusion of the session, the new government will officially take office in April. We hope that more foreign investment will flow into Myanmar, enabling the public to enjoy the opportunities generated by the country's economic development more fully," said Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council.
The Union Election Commission (UEC) said that about 5,000 candidates from 57 political parties are competing in the three phases of the election, adding that it plans to set up over 21,000 polling stations across the country for all three phases of the general election.
The election will produce the elected members of the Union Parliament (Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw) and State and Region Parliaments; the new Union Parliament will then elect a new president, who will form a new Union Government.
Voting for 2nd phase of Myanmar's general election concludes
