By Liang Rui
Editor’s Note:
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has stressed that the environment concerns the well-being of people in all countries. During his inspections, Xi has always paid great attention to ecosystems, spanning from cities to rural areas, and from enterprises to communities.
Under the guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization, China has been advancing the green transition of its economy over the last decade. Regions across the country are actively promoting the construction of ecological civilization and advancing Chinese modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature. These efforts are creating a “Beautiful China.”
The coming five years will be critical to the building of a “Beautiful China.” The Global Times is launching a series of stories to explore the progress of ecological civilization projects that Xi is concerned with, delving into the positive environmental changes occurring now, and offering valuable insights and references for both national and global efforts. From these practical examples, we can see how Xi’s thought on ecological civilization is put into practice and further inspires public action.
In this installment, we turn our eyes to the northeast regions of China. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, they have persisted for decades in evolving their approaches to bird conservation, demonstrating how grassroots efforts form an indispensable foundation for China’s ecological stewardship.
Flocks of Siberian cranes soaring Photo: VCG
At 5:30 am, the mudflats at the mouth of the Liao River in Northeast China’s Liaoning Province are still shrouded in mist. Jiang Shui, now 63 years old, stuffs his binoculars, water bottle, and dry food into his backpack, hops on his bicycle, and heads off with his water fork, rubber boat, and other tools for a special task – dismantling bird nets.
Jiang meets with other team members of a “flying squad” to begin their patrol. This is just another ordinary day for the volunteers at the Saunders’ Gull Conservation Society (SGCS), China’s first environmental NGO based in Panjin, Liaoning Province, operating with dedication for 34 years.
Located in Panjin, this area is home to the world’s largest reed coastal wetland, marking the southernmost limit of red-crowned crane breeding and is also the largest breeding ground for the Saunders’s gull, according to information provided by the SGCS.
The actions of the SGCS are part of a nationwide bird conservation campaign that the country is conducting for ecological preservation. China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) recently held a special meeting to launch nationwide bird protection activities, including assisting relevant departments in crackdowns on illegal hunting and the trade of birds, and launching ecological civilization awareness campaigns.
Bird protection is an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. The Party and government leaders attach great importance to bird conservation and have issued several critical instructions, emphasizing the importance of “implementation,” read an announcement on the website of the NFGA.
Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China’s migratory bird protection efforts have achieved remarkable results in recent years. Awareness of biodiversity and bird protection has significantly improved across society, with a growing number of volunteers actively participating in bird protection activities.
Close-up shot of a bird in outdoor flight Photo: VCG
A shared mission
Under the leadership of its president, 74-year-old Liu Detian, a “flying squad” and key organizations within the SGCS have become tenacious ecological sentinels.
According to Liu, the “flying squad” was initially a local mountaineering and cycling team. “They often found bird nets during their activities and would rescue trapped birds. In 2014, we officially incorporated them into the association to form a professional migratory bird protection team. Their primary mission is patrolling and quickly rescuing injured birds,” Liu said.
As president, Liu also participates in patrols. He explains that the team packs dry food and water but returns daily – no overnight stays. Dressed for hiking, sometimes with volunteer vests, they wear windproof gear, goggles, and gloves. Departures vary by season, often before dawn to arrive at daybreak.
Five years ago, Jiang retired from a state-owned enterprise and joined the squad. “The Panjin wetlands are abundant with bird resources. I love birds and find this work to be very meaningful.”
“The frequency of activities varies; sometimes we go several times a week, sometimes just once a week. We have a group, and whenever someone initiates an activity, we go together to patrol the wetlands and clear bird nets,” he told the Global Times.
Jiang vividly remembers each time he and his team members fulfilled the mission of rescuing precious birds. He narrated stories about escorting an injured Saunders’s gull to Tangshan in Hebei Province for treatment despite a 600-kilometer one-way trip during heavy rains, and a near-death yellow-legged gull having its head stuck in the mud while fishing. “I could tell you stories until midnight,” he said.
Since its establishment, the flying squad has tirelessly patrolled the wetlands, dismantled over 70 bird nets and rescued more than 300 trapped birds. The SGCS now has 40,000 volunteers.
Though winters in Liaoning are harsh, and migratory birds migrate south, it’s not off-season for the squad and the SGCS, as they shift their focus to habitat protection.
“Compared to poaching, wetland development is far more destructive. Poaching might harm dozens of birds, but the development of a wetland for other uses can destroy the habitat of thousands of birds,” Liu explained.
The SGCS also works closely with local government. In 2010, a 300,000-acre wetland development project quietly started during the Chinese New Year. However, SGCS volunteers noticed this project and immediately reported to local authorities.
“We contacted the head of the Ecology and Environment Bureau of Panjin and invited the media to the site. The bureau chief asked, ‘Did you conduct an environmental impact assessment?’ When the developers admitted they had not, the project was halted immediately,” Liu recalled.
Liu shared that after more than 30 years of consistent teamwork, Saunders’s gull conservation efforts have yielded remarkable results. In 2006, Panjin was awarded the “Hometown of the Saunders’s Gulls” title by the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
Meanwhile, other regions in China have also achieved success in protecting Saunders’s gulls. For instance, the population of Saunders’s gulls in the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in East China’s Shandong Province, increased from 2,800 in 2013 to 8,676 in 2020, making it one of the largest breeding grounds for the species in China, according to CCTV.
Liu Detian, president of the Saunders’ Gull Conservation Society in Panjin, Northeast China’s Liaoning Province, rescues a great crested grebe while driving in Panjin on August 10, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Liu Detian
Embracing new technologies
In addition to traditional methods like patrols and net dismantling, new technologies are incorporated into China’s bird protection.
“In recent bird protection projects, we installed monitoring equipment that allows for 24-hour monitoring from up to 100 kilometers away. This system enables us to fully observe the process from egg-laying and incubation to the fledging of chicks, and intervene as needed,” said Liu.
The solution to the problem of oriental white storks nesting on high-voltage transmission towers was largely made possible by new technology. Oriental white storks, which are under national first-class protection, nest on high-voltage transmission towers due to a lack of tall trees. Now artificial nests can be built to attract the storks to move away from the power towers, according to Liu.
Meanwhile, using drones for patrols, Internet Protocol technology, and remote monitoring, the efficiency of bird protection and addressing of the human-bird conflict have significantly improved. Many regions in China are advancing the use of new technologies to support bird conservation.
At Poyang Lake in East China’s Jiangxi Province, a smart management platform integrates high-definition cameras, sensors, and AI recognition, while drones are employed for efficient patrols and aerial monitoring across the entire area. Water levels are scientifically regulated using algorithmic predictions to optimize habitats. In Dianchi Lake, Kunming, Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, a combination of fixed cameras, drone patrols, and acoustic monitoring is utilized. These technologies effectively address the spatial and temporal limitations and manpower shortages of traditional monitoring methods, read an article on People’s Daily.
In addition to actively promoting new technologies, China has long been committed to raising public awareness in bird conservation. Since the beginning of this year, the NFGA has guided localities in organizing themed awareness campaigns such as “Bird-Loving Week” during the migratory seasons. These activities have attracted over 14 million participants, both online and offline, significantly enhancing public awareness, according to the NFGA.
“Thirty years ago, some still saw bird protection as ‘an unimportant task,’ but today, the situation has changed. Conservation work is highly respected across all sectors of society, and people are willing to lend a hand,” Liu added.
An expanding network
In recent years, many self-organized bird protectors have emerged in China. For example, in Changde, Central China’s Hunan Province, farmer Nie Luomin has been working in environmental protection and fighting illegal poaching for over a decade, and was recognized as an outstanding bird protection volunteer by the China Foundation for Rural Development, reported local media outlet Changde Daily. In Tianjin, photographer Wang Jianmin has been observing and protecting oriental storks for years, witnessing the changes in this precious species, The Paper reported.
In Liu’s opinion, grassroots bird conservation efforts in China have undergone profound changes in the past decade. A notable feature is the significant increase in participation. “Not only has our local rescue network flourished, but new conservation organizations have sprung up across the country, like mushrooms after rain.”
More importantly, a close network of connections has been established between conservation organizations nationwide. “This connection goes beyond just information sharing; it has promoted frequent technical exchanges. Cross-regional collaboration is more than just technical support; it is key to spreading advanced conservation ideas.”
Behind all this is a remarkable rise in the public awareness of environmental protection and bird conservation. The societal atmosphere of protection formed across the nation has been a crucial factor in the growth of rare bird populations, Liu emphasized.
According to the People’s Daily, in 2024, the number of overwintering waterfowl in China reached its highest recorded figure. However, illegal hunting and trade of birds and other wildlife species continue to occur in some areas, posing a threat to the safety of bird populations and other wildlife.
Since the beginning of this year, the NFGA has continuously strengthened the protection of bird habitats and the monitoring of overwintering waterfowl, as well as deploying law enforcement and regulatory oversight to protect migratory birds during their migration. The administration has led 11 departments in a joint operation aimed at combating illegal wildlife trade. Nationwide, 3,917 cases involving the destruction of bird and wildlife resources have been investigated, with 265 criminal groups dismantled, effectively deterring illegal activities. About 810,000 individuals have participated in patrolling key areas, removing 14,000 bird nets, according to the NFGA.
Looking ahead, the NFGA said it will issue a notice to further deepen bird protection activities, holding all parties accountable through enhanced law enforcement, improved monitoring networks, and increased public education efforts.
The momentum of volunteer protection efforts has never slowed down, and it continues to radiate new energy. Jiang has observed that many passionate young people are joining the “flying squad” and other conservation activities. These young volunteers are not only full of energy but also demonstrate a strong interest in systematic bird research and scientific protection methods.
Looking toward the future, the association has developed a clear blueprint for growth. Liu shared their plans, which include establishing larger environmental education bases to attract more people, especially young people, to come and experience ecological conservation.
“Now, the birds in Panjin are no longer afraid of humans; they even approach people on the streets. One day, there will no longer be a need for a “flying squad” across the country because everyone will already be a member,” Liu said.
