China's Blue Bay Restoration Initiative named UN World Restoration Flagship

China

China's Blue Bay Restoration Initiative named UN World Restoration Flagship

2026-10-30 15:02 Last Updated At：16:41

The United Nations named China's Blue Bay Restoration Initiative a World Restoration Flagship on Thursday during the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia.

The initiative is jointly led by China's Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of Finance. This marks the second time a nationwide ecological restoration initiative from China has received the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration recognition, making China the first country to achieve the distinction twice.

Chosen from over 200 applications and more than 80 government-submitted nominations, the Blue Bay Restoration Initiative was recognized as one of the world's most promising, ambitious and inspiring examples of large-scale ecosystem restoration, said Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Programme.

The initiative aims to restore more than 150,000 hectares of coastal wetlands and over 2,000 km of coastline by 2030, bringing lasting benefits to local communities, she added.

Over the past decade, the Chinese government has supported coastal provinces in implementing 194 major marine ecological restoration projects, with cumulative central government awards and subsidies totaling over 36.6 billion yuan (about 5.5 billion U.S. dollars).

Among the many achievements, particularly notable is that China's mangrove area has reached 31,700 hectares, making it one of the world's few countries with sustained net growth in mangrove areas.

"Going forward, we will focus on building blue bays, beautiful shorelines, and harmonious and beautiful islands, adopt measures tailored to local conditions, and coordinate marine ecological restoration with disaster prevention and mitigation. We will improve the quality and service functions of marine ecosystems, promote the conversion of marine ecological product value, and contribute to building a Beautiful China and a maritime power," said Zhong Chongjun, deputy director-general of the Department of Territorial Space Ecological Restoration at China’s Ministry of Natural Resources.

China showcases diverse audiovisual works at MIP Africa 2026

The China Pavilion made a strong debut at the ongoing MIP Africa 2026, a major film and television industry event on the continent, presenting a rich tapestry of Chinese storytelling to deepen cultural ties and industry collaboration.

Sponsored by China's State Council Information Office and National Radio and Television Administration, the China Pavilion featured an expanded lineup this year.

Sixteen leading Chinese audiovisual organizations -- spanning broadcasting, film and television production, animation, and cultural media -- set up booths at the event opening on Wednesday at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa.

Exhibitors presented more than 50 Chinese audiovisual titles across genres, including TV dramas, documentaries, variety shows, and animation, alongside advanced technologies. The showcase highlighted China's latest achievements in the screen industry while fostering closer partnerships between Chinese and African media institutions.

Carol Weaving, managing director of RX Africa, the organizer of MIP Africa, praised the ongoing collaboration. She said that the event is dedicated to connecting African stories, talent, and enterprises with the global entertainment industry. Noting China serves as a vital partner in that mission, she expressed enthusiasm for building a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership to bring more exceptional content to global audiences.

Running through Friday under the theme "Africa. Untold. Unstoppable," MIP Africa 2026 drew registrations from more than 100 international media companies and over 1,500 participants, featuring strong participation from across the continent, including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana.