Yangtze River biodiversity sees steady recovery under 10-year fishing ban: authorities

China's decade-long fishing ban has achieved phased results in restoring the ecological health of the Yangtze River -- the longest river in China, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced on Friday.

At a press conference held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing, senior officials with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs noted that since the moratorium began in key waters of the Yangtze River basin on Jan 1, 2021, the river's ecosystem has undergone a notable transformation, with key species populations rebounding and the diversity of aquatic life showing continuous improvement.

The results of an exclusive survey in 2025 revealed that the population of the Yangtze finless porpoise has reached 1,426, an increase of 177 compared to 2022. Furthermore, the scale of Chinese sturgeon releases has exceeded one million for two consecutive years, while successful natural spawning for the Yangtze sturgeon has marked a critical step in rebuilding wildlife populations in the Yangtze River system.

"From 2021 to 2025, a total of 351 fish species were identified in our monitoring in the Yangtze River basin, an increase of 43 species compared to the period before the fishing ban. The trend of fish species shrinking in the Yangtze River has been effectively curbed, and the aquatic biological integrity index has improved significantly," said Zhang Zhili, vice minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, at the press conference.

The ministry also highlighted the stable order maintained through rigorous law enforcement over the past five years. By dismantling illegal "fishing, transport, and sales" chains, authorities have effectively deterred poaching, with reported violations showing a downward trend.

At the same time, the government has focused on the social welfare of 231,000 former fishermen who relinquished their nets. Pension coverage has been secured for all eligible individuals, while those with the ability and desire to work have successfully transitioned to new employment.

For former fishermen facing sudden financial hardship, the government has rolled out targeted assistance measures, including their inclusion in the minimum living security system and anti-poverty monitoring, to ensure their basic livelihoods and stable incomes.

Yangtze River biodiversity sees steady recovery under 10-year fishing ban: authorities

Israel will reopen the Rafah crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt for pedestrian traffic in both directions on Sunday, an Israeli government-affiliated body announced in a statement on Friday.

Israel's office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories said in the statement that exit from and entry into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing "will be permitted in coordination with Egypt, following prior security clearance of individuals by Israel, and under the supervision of the European Union mission."

In addition to initial identification and screening at the Rafah crossing by the European Union mission, the body said, an "additional screening and identification process" will be conducted at a designated corridor, operated by the Israeli military.

The move is part of a U.S.-proposed Gaza ceasefire plan. Israel said last Sunday that it would reopen the Rafah crossing after recovering the body of the last Israeli hostage in Gaza, which was retrieved from Gaza earlier this week.

According to Israel's official data, some 42,000 Gazans left the strip during the war, the vast majority of them patients seeking medical treatment abroad or dual citizens.

Located at the southernmost tip of Gaza, the Rafah crossing is a vital entry point for people and humanitarian aid into and out of the enclave. Since May 2024, when Israel occupied Rafah, the crossing has remained largely closed, even with the latest ceasefire in place.

Israel says Rafah crossing to reopen Sunday for pedestrians in both directions