In May, the State Council issued the “Action Plan for Soil Pollution Prevention and Control”; in August, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council released the “Opinions on Establishing Standardized Pilot Zones for Ecological Civilization”; and in December, the “13th Five-Year Plan for Ecological and Environmental Protection” was unveiled... Integrating ecological civilization construction into a systematic and rule-of-law-based framework has become the most striking feature of China’s social transformation process in 2016. Accompanied by the introduction of 25 key institutional measures, the “four pillars and eight beams” of ecological civilization are being rapidly put in place. The “Overall Plan for Reform of the Ecological Civilization System” proposes that “mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, and lakes constitute a community of life.” Guided by this principle, efforts are underway to integrate multiple planning frameworks, explore unified registration of natural resources, and coordinate comprehensive protection and systematic restoration of both land and marine ecosystems. A grand blueprint for the planning of a beautiful national territory is now taking shape.

　　This year, from the old industrial bases in Northeast China and resource-depleted cities in the Central Plains to the arid regions in the West and the areas in the South plagued by heavy-metal pollution, we’ve heard the first signs of breakthroughs in transformation and development, and we’ve witnessed the courage and wisdom needed to tackle deeply entrenched environmental problems. On the other hand, a new model of environmental governance—one that involves the joint participation of government, enterprises, and social organizations—is beginning to take shape. Among these efforts, the land and resources and mining sectors have played a crucial foundational role in deepening ecological civilization reform, providing robust support for the “five-in-one” framework to flourish and bear fruit.

　　I. Jiangxi Takes the Lead in Implementing a Province-Wide Ecological Compensation Mechanism for River Basins.

　　In 2016, Jiangxi Province raised its first batch of provincial-level funds for watershed ecological compensation totaling 2.091 billion yuan, making it the province with the largest fund-raising volume in the country to date. In allocating these funds, Jiangxi took into account factors such as the varying degrees of benefit received by different regions, their respective conservation responsibilities, and their economic development levels, and thus tilted resources toward key ecological zones—including the headwaters of the five major rivers, the lakeside areas around Poyang Lake, and the source protection zones of the Dongjiang River—thereby reflecting the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Meanwhile, in environmental governance and restoration efforts, Jiangxi’s ecological compensation fully embodies the principle that “those who protect shall benefit, and those who suffer damage shall be compensated.”

　　Commentary: Jiangxi Province is home to Poyang Lake—the largest freshwater lake in China—but it is also a major province heavily reliant on heavy industries such as nonferrous metallurgy. In recent years, environmental pollution has seriously threatened this province’s ecological “liver and kidneys,” effectively becoming a “ceiling” on Jiangxi’s development potential. By taking the lead in implementing a province-wide ecological compensation mechanism for river basins and raising the highest amount of funds nationwide, Jiangxi has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to ecological governance. Specifically, Jiangxi has refined its accountability framework, emphasizing clear rewards and punishments: regions that achieve significant improvements in water quality, effectively protect forest ecosystems, and conserve water extensively will receive enhanced compensation; conversely, regions responsible for major or more serious environmental pollution incidents or ecological damage will have 30% to 50% of their annual compensation funds withheld. By directing these funds precisely where they are most needed and maximizing the spillover effects of macro policies, Jiangxi’s approach is worthy of emulation.

　　II. Jinmei’s environmentally friendly liquid fertilizer enters the international high-end market.

　　Since the beginning of this year, Jincheng Coal Group has intensified its efforts in scientific and technological research and development, leveraging the unique characteristics of its anthracite products to further advance into the production of refined and high-end coal chemical products. Building on last year’s output of 160,000 tons of liquid fertilizer—urea ammonium nitrate solution—and nearly 1.3 million tons of fine chemical products, as well as nearly 20,000 tons of new-type coal chemical products, the group has successfully entered the markets of developed countries such as the U.S. and Australia with its high-end liquid fertilizer products, thus pioneering the entry of Chinese liquid fertilizers into the international market.

　　Commentary: Shanxi Province, with its high-quality and easily extractable coal resources, has become one of the country’s most important coal-producing bases. However, overcapacity in coal production has brought the once-brilliant, resource-intensive development model to a standstill. Where, then, do coal enterprises find their way forward? The Jincheng Coal Group has provided an answer: they not only aim to be a national leader in coal production but also seek to seize the opportunities presented by green development and take the lead in expanding into high-end industrial chains. Due to stringent environmental regulations, Chinese companies often find it difficult to break into markets in developed countries. The recent success of Jincheng Coal Group’s new coal-to-chemical products undoubtedly serves as a powerful boost to the transformation and upgrading of the coal industry. While closely following market demands and identifying untapped niches are certainly crucial, the most critical factor remains perfecting product quality.

　　III. Guizhou’s “Dumpling-Style” Governance of the Wanshan Mercury Mine Pollution

　　The site for the remediation of the Wanshan mercury mine tailings in Guizhou features a two-layer system: an upper and lower geomembrane, with a stabilizer encased in the middle to firmly secure the mercury slag. The upper geomembrane is then covered with 50 centimeters of soil, upon which green trees and grasses are planted... Stepping into this remediation site, one can see that the once openly and randomly piled-up mercury furnace slag and waste rock have now been thoroughly and scientifically treated, effectively cutting off the source of mercury pollution. Through competitive bidding and evaluation, Wanshan and other regions have secured nearly 100 million yuan each year for three consecutive years under the national heavy-metal pollution prevention and control program, providing strong support for Wanshan’s efforts in soil remediation, restoration, and mercury pollution prevention. Currently, Wanshan is conducting grid-based, intensive surveys of over 800 square kilometers of land within its jurisdiction, vigorously exploring “precision-targeted” land-rehabilitation approaches such as bioremediation and agronomic-chemical regulation. Additionally, the region is establishing environmental health monitoring mechanisms—including a local endemic disease medical insurance system—to ensure comprehensive environmental protection and public health oversight.

　　Commentary: Mercury has the effect of bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the food chain. Once it enters the human body, it can cause severe damage to the nervous system, leading to Minamata disease. Just 1 gram of mercury can contaminate as much as 180 tons of water. Economic development must not come at the cost of health and the environment; we cannot—and should not—delay addressing our accumulated environmental debts. To completely eliminate the threat posed by the Wanshan mercury mine tailings pond to the health and lives of nearby residents as well as to water bodies, Guizhou Province has made great efforts to tackle the mercury pollution problem at Wanshan. Through national project support and “attracting investment and leveraging external resources,” Guizhou is implementing comprehensive remediation projects that include the recycling of mercury resources, thereby promoting all-round efforts to control mercury pollution and reshaping Wanshan into a new model of green development characterized by harmony between humans and the land.

　　IV. The Old Industrial Base of Xuzhou Sings the “Springtime Story”

　　Xuzhou is the only coal-producing base in Jiangsu Province. As a result of long-term, large-scale mining, coal reserves have gradually been depleted, and geological and environmental issues have become increasingly prominent. In recent years, Xuzhou has vigorously promoted environmental protection and ecological restoration, stepping up efforts to rehabilitate damaged mountain areas. To date, the city has completed greening of 25,000 mu of quarry sites and treated over 2 million square meters of mountain slopes. Xuzhou has also established the nation’s first quarry-site park—the Zhushan Quarry Site Park—which has been designated by the Ministry of Natural Resources as a model project for urban mine remediation. Additionally, Xuzhou has successfully completed remediation projects at abandoned mines such as Huangguowo in Tongshan District, Malingshan in Xinyi City, and Dawuhushan in Jiawang District. Today, Xuzhou boasts a breathtaking landscape of 72 rolling hills surrounding the city, complemented by seven magnificent lakes that shimmer in harmony. The city has successively earned prestigious titles including “National Forest City,” “National Model City for Environmental Protection,” and “National Sanitary City.”

　　Comment: For resource-depleted cities, turning historical burdens into development resources has become the top priority. In this process, land and resource management plays an indispensable role. Xuzhou is a key nodal city along the New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor, as designated in China’s “Belt and Road” initiative. It is also a central city in the Huaihai Economic Zone and a national comprehensive transportation hub. The Xuzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone has taken a point-to-area approach, significantly improving the overall ecological environment and creating an attractive investment climate—resulting in the successful establishment of more than 80 domestic and international projects. Xuzhou has thus carved out a bright future for itself in the remediation of abandoned mines.

　　V. Establishment of the China Mining Environment Governance Investment and Financing Alliance

　　On September 23, at the 2016 China International Mining Conference, the China Mining Environment Investment and Financing Alliance was established. The Alliance’s primary objectives are ecological restoration of mining areas, management of geological hazards in mines, and comprehensive governance of cities facing resource depletion. Supported by science and technology as well as talented professionals, and guided by innovative investment and financing mechanisms, the Alliance integrates consulting, planning, design, construction, mining rights trading, information, and legal services related to the restoration and management of mining geological environments. It aims to promote exchanges and cooperation among its members as well as between domestic and international entities in the fields of mining ecological governance technologies and investment and financing.

　　Comment: In recent years, the Chinese government has attached great importance to the crucial role of private capital in the investment sector. The Ministry of Natural Resources has encouraged, supported, and guided private capital to enter such fields as land remediation, mineral exploration and development, and geological environment restoration in mining areas. In July of this year, the Ministry of Natural Resources, jointly with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the National Energy Administration, issued the "Guiding Opinions on Strengthening the Restoration and Comprehensive Management of Mining Geological Environments," proposing the establishment of a new model for mining geological environment management characterized by "government leadership, policy support, social participation, development-oriented governance, and market-based operations." This document also clarifies relevant policies regarding land and mineral resources. The establishment of the alliance will play an irreplaceable role in future mining environmental management and related fields.

　　VI. The West-to-East Gas Pipeline “Dresses Up” the Jiangnan of the Northern Frontier

　　Since the West-to-East Gas Pipeline began supplying gas to the Ningxia region in 2003, the cumulative volume of natural gas delivered—18.7 billion cubic meters—has been equivalent to a reduction of 23.4 million tons of standard coal consumption, a decrease of 1.098 million tons in emissions of harmful substances such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, and a reduction of 96.36 million tons in carbon dioxide and other acidic gas emissions. The share of natural gas in Ningxia’s primary energy consumption has surged from 0.57% in 1998 to around 3.9%. By 2020, it is projected that the gasification rate among urban residents across the region will reach 80%, and efforts will be made to ensure that all cities at or above the county level throughout the region fully adopt clean energy sources such as natural gas.

　　Comment: Mineral resources are not synonymous with pollution; rather, it is the manner in which they are exploited and developed that plays a crucial role. Ningxia serves as an important strategic fulcrum of the Belt and Road Initiative. As the volume of natural gas supplied via the West-to-East Gas Pipeline continues to grow year after year, millions of Hui, Mongol, and Han people in Ningxia have successively bid farewell to the era of honeycomb coal and gas stoves. As a result, regional pollutant emissions have declined, significantly improving air quality across cities in the region. This has also spurred the development of industries such as steel, aluminum, thermal power, and chemicals, yielding remarkable results in adjusting the energy structure. It can be said that the West-to-East Gas Pipeline—a new “Silk Road” for energy—has provided Ningxia with a continuous supply of clean energy, fueling its economic development and the advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative.

　　VII. Hubei Launches China’s First Pilot Program for Building an Ecological Province

　　After the 18th National Congress, the state designated Hubei Province as the first pilot province to embark on the construction of an ecological province. In recent years, Hubei has treated the construction of an ecological province as a “top-priority project,” focusing on the remediation of water, air, and soil as its core tasks and adopting a comprehensive approach to tackle the “three major environmental hazards.” Hubei has also delineated ecological red-line zones and implemented “single-map management” for these zones. To date, the province has cumulatively established 79 nature reserves, covering a total area of 1.108 million hectares. The Shennongjia region has been included in the national pilot program for the establishment of a national park system. Currently, the province’s forest coverage rate stands at 41.2%, and its wetland area has reached 1.405 million hectares. Moreover, Hubei was the first province nationwide to set up a provincial-level government award for environmental protection.

　　Commentary: “Green development determines life or death”—this is the consensus reached by Hubei Province, a major heavy-industry hub. Comprehensive river environment management, the scientific restoration of the ancient Tonglüshan copper mine site in Daye, and the transformation of Tieshan District in Huangshi City—all these represent Hubei Province’s achievements in ecological governance during the 12th Five-Year Plan period. This year, as the Environmental Protection Century Tour event visited Hubei Province, we witnessed firsthand that thanks to robust governance measures and institutional safeguards, the once-polluted town—shrouded in dark clouds and devoid of fish and shrimp—is now a thing of the past. At the same time, Hubei has timely launched new initiatives, swiftly identifying successor industries to support the mining sector’s transition, and successfully hosted Huangshi’s first Geological and Mineral Science Popularization Exhibition. Today, an increasing number of provinces are finding common ground in building an ecological civilization and are gradually exploring their own development models, collectively embarking on the journey toward a beautiful China during the 13th Five-Year Plan period.

　　8. Hegang Mining is building a circular ecosystem through waste-free mining.

　　Addressing the approximately 370 million tons of tailings generated during mining operations, Hegang Mining has fully utilized the Kailuan Fangezhuang coal-mining subsidence pit—located just 28 kilometers from the mine—as a tailings storage site, effectively resolving the challenge of tailings ponds occupying farmland. The dam surrounding the tailings pond alone has freed up over 200 mu of farmland. As of November this year, a total of 198 million tons of overburden rock and soil have been transported, reclaiming 56,000 mu of land with potential comprehensive benefits exceeding 1 billion yuan. Once the tailings pond is completely filled with tailings sand, it will be transformed into 2,640 mu of high-quality farmland.

　　Comment: In recent years, the ecological, social, and economic costs associated with mining development have been steadily increasing. How to achieve a harmonious integration of economic and social benefits has become a key issue for many domestic mining enterprises today. The Sijiaying Mining Area is one of the few exceptionally large, fully developed ore deposits remaining in China. Throughout its entire mining and operational cycle, it will require handling as much as 1.7 billion tons of overburden and waste rock. If a corresponding spoil disposal site were to be constructed, it would occupy at least 20,000 mu of land and necessitate the relocation of more than 4,500 households. Drawing on the principles of the circular economy, HeSteel Mining has established a closed-loop system spanning mine extraction, concentrate production, and the disposal of overburden and tailings. By repurposing coal mine subsidence pits as tailings storage facilities, the company has effectively promoted waste-free mining operations and built a circular ecological system within the mining area. This approach represents a pioneering initiative in China and holds significant potential for wider adoption.

　　9. China’s first “Database for Identifying Imported Solid Waste” Goes Online

　　In March, China’s first “Database for Identification and Query of Imported Solid Wastes” went live on the official website of the Fangchenggang Inspection and Quarantine Bureau in Guangxi. This database contains identification feature data for most of the metal ores and smelting slag imported into China in recent years, providing technical support for the supervision of imported solid wastes in China.

　　Comment: Driven by the lure of high profits, in recent years, there has been a surge in the import of solid waste from abroad, posing a significant threat to the normal operation of China’s upstream and downstream mining industries. In response, China has implemented strict, categorized management of solid-waste imports. Nevertheless, some foreign suppliers, motivated by profit, continue to disguise solid waste as legitimate goods and smuggle them into China, thereby evading regulatory oversight, jeopardizing environmental safety, and disrupting the normal order of import trade. In August 2011, five Chinese government departments—including the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Commerce, and the General Administration of Quality Supervision—jointly issued the “Administrative Measures for the Import of Solid Waste,” assigning port inspection and quarantine authorities the responsibility of identifying the nature of solid waste. The establishment and implementation of an import solid-waste identification database will fully leverage the advantages of big data to enhance both the efficiency and accuracy of identification, thus building a robust green border defense barrier for China.

　　X. Karst Geological Research Supports China’s Governance of Stone Desertification

　　Since 1990, five remote-sensing surveys on the dynamic changes in rocky desertification in the southwestern karst region have played a crucial supporting role in promoting the comprehensive management of rocky desertification in China’s southwest. To date, four replicable and scalable models for the comprehensive management of rocky desertification have been developed. These efforts have driven comprehensive rocky desertification management projects in more than 300 counties across China’s southwest region, making outstanding contributions to helping over 10 million people escape poverty and achieve prosperity. They have also effectively addressed drinking-water difficulties for 15 million people and successfully guided more than 30 counties in carrying out land reclamation projects covering 5 million mu.

　　Commentary: People often describe the fight against rocky desertification as a marathon. For more than two decades, the China Geological Survey has been continuously conducting karst geological research in the southwestern region, promptly applying its findings to the management of rocky desertification. This has effectively halted further environmental degradation in these areas and transformed the fates of local communities. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, China’s karst geological research will place even greater emphasis on key priorities, striving—through international cooperation and exchanges—to provide scientific evidence for land reclamation and the development of ecological agriculture in karst regions, thereby gradually achieving ecological restoration. In recent years, the supporting role of fundamental and public-interest geological surveys in building an ecological civilization has become increasingly prominent. As more and more research results move out of the laboratory and reach those who need them most, we can do even better.

　　11. Four counties and cities in Fujian to pilot a pre-leave “ecological audit” for leading officials.

　　In October, the General Office of the Fujian Provincial Party Committee and the General Office of the Provincial Government issued the "Implementation Opinions on Carrying Out the Pilot Program for Off-duty Audits of Natural Resource Assets Held by Leading Cadres." Starting from 2017, regions under the jurisdiction of leading cadres during their tenure will be subject to environmental audits. The audit evaluation results will serve as a basis for their performance assessment, appointment or removal, and reward or punishment. If serious ecological pollution occurs, even after a leader has left office, they will still be held accountable. Starting this year, relevant functional departments in Putian City and Xianyou County will establish and improve dynamic statistical ledgers for natural resource assets at the city and county (district) levels, and connect these systems with their counterparts at the provincial level. This will gradually create a comprehensive, real-time, and digital monitoring system for natural resource assets, providing a solid foundation for the pilot audit program.

　　Comment: Being a pioneer is a quality that has been ingrained in Fujian’s very essence for thousands of years. In ecological conservation, Fujian has taken a proactive approach, focusing not only on the final stage of governance but also imposing strict constraints on those in charge. As we all know, unchecked power inevitably leads to corruption. Similarly, failing to carefully examine the “ecological account” of leading cadres has, to some extent, fueled the previous regional development model that placed sole emphasis on GDP growth. We look forward to seeing the pilot program in these four Fujian regions implemented effectively, and hope that through innovative government management, a new path can be forged for ecological conservation.

　　12. Maoming, Guangdong, will transform an open-pit mine into an ecological park.

　　Maoming City in Guangdong Province is known as the “Oil City of the South.” In the course of oil shale development, two mining pits—5.2 kilometers long, 1 kilometer wide, and with a maximum depth exceeding 100 meters below the surface—were left behind. To breathe new life into these abandoned open-pit mines, Maoming adopted a strategy tailored to local conditions and made use of locally available resources. By following the approach of “diverting water, planting trees, building museums, and repairing roads,” the idle mining pits have been transformed into an open-pit ecological park covering 10 square kilometers, of which 6.8 square kilometers are water bodies. The total investment exceeded 1 billion yuan. Relying on the former mining company’s abandoned factory buildings, Guangdong’s first mineral heritage museum has been established. The ripple effects of this initiative are already becoming evident: nearby villagers now have access to affordable, clean tap water, and in the future, the region will accelerate the development of agriculture, tourism, and the catering industry.

　　Comment: Can building a park really transform a city’s appearance? Maoming has shown through practical action that this is no pipe dream. In just two years, Maoming has transformed an open-pit mine—once a scar on the city’s landscape—into an ecological park. Not only has this project healed the city’s wounds and created a new leisure destination for residents, but it has also opened up new avenues for prosperity for nearby communities. For mines whose resources are nearing exhaustion, closure isn’t the end of the road; rather, shifting from reliance on mineral resource extraction to tapping into the added value of these mines—that’s precisely the new path Maoming has found. As for how we can bring more abandoned mine pits back to life, there’s still much we can do and imagine.

　　13. Heavily Metal-Polluted Farmland in Sichuan Reclaims New Life

　　In October, the first pilot project for the reclamation of abandoned industrial and mining sites in Sichuan Province—the land monitoring of the Gulin Sulphur Factory site—was successfully completed, marking the successful conclusion of Sichuan Province’s first geochemical monitoring and evaluation of reclaimed farmland quality from abandoned industrial and mining sites. The project was led by a team headed by Li Zhonghui, a senior engineer at the professorial level at the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Geological Survey. According to the survey, approximately 80% of the samples met the limit standards for heavy metals set forth for green food products; furthermore, it was newly discovered that about 97% of the reclaimed land now meets the criteria for selenium-rich soil.

　　Comment: Are foods grown on land contaminated by heavy metals safe? Professor Li Zhonghui and his team’s land-monitoring efforts conducted at the abandoned mining site in Gulin Sulfur Factory have provided the public with a professional answer. The selenium-rich soils discovered during the pilot project have laid a solid foundation for enhancing the value of reclaimed land, developing selenium-rich soils, and producing green, selenium-enriched agricultural products. At the same time, these findings remind us that to ensure the quality and safety of crops produced on reclaimed farmland and to guarantee the sustainable, long-term use of cultivated land, it is essential to strengthen land environmental monitoring.

　　14. Establish a Pilot Demonstration Zone for Ecological Civilization Across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region

　　The application submitted by the three northern counties of Langfang City, Hebei Province, in collaboration with Beijing’s Pinggu District and Tianjin’s Jixian County, to establish an ecological cooperation mechanism and jointly create a national demonstration zone for ecological civilization in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, was recently approved. The land and resources and landscaping departments of the three regions are working closely together to implement paid protection measures for existing forest resources, while also carrying out ecological restoration efforts on abandoned mines and damaged mountain areas located at the junction of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. In addition, the three regions are currently making every effort to build the Jingdong Tourism Demonstration Zone, aiming to jointly develop promotional materials for the demonstration zone and issue a unified tourism pass, enabling residents to enjoy the convenience and joy of integrated tourism.

　　Comment: The accelerated integration of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has fully unleashed powerful momentum for complementary advantages and coordinated development among these areas. However, although administrative boundaries may separate us, we cannot separate ourselves from the air, water, and forests that connect us. The environmental challenges—exacerbated by smog—that span across the three regions have now become pressing issues that demand immediate attention. By jointly establishing the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei National Pilot Zone for Ecological Civilization, we can not only create a platform for driving rapid economic growth but also build a green lung for northern China and ensure that ecological civilization benefits the people. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will no longer be a frequent subject of “smog-related jokes.” We believe that the day when this changes is not far off.

　　15. Yichun, Jiangxi Province, Establishes a “Four-Level Network” for Geological Disaster Monitoring.

　　In recent years, Yichun City in Jiangxi Province has actively established a “four-level network” for monitoring geological hazards. For seven consecutive years, the city has not experienced a single casualty, effectively safeguarding the lives and property of its residents. In addition, the city has allocated special funds to issue electronic “IDs” for each potential geological hazard site, containing detailed information such as the site’s location, type, scale, hazard level, scope, number of people at risk, and degree of potential harm. The city’s land and resources department strictly implements the “four-one” working mechanism for geological hazard prevention and control: whenever a major geological hazard or disaster occurs, the department immediately accesses the “ID” information and activates the corresponding geological hazard emergency response plan.

　　Comment: The fact that there hasn't been a single casualty in seven years isn't due to mere luck. The “four-level network” geological hazard monitoring system developed by Yichun City has effectively integrated network and human resources, enabling real-time monitoring of every potential geological hazard site, ensuring timely forecasts and proactive evacuation efforts.

　　16. The Huai North Zhonghu River Management Project Listed as a National PPP Demonstration Project

　　In November, the geological environment remediation project for the Zhonghu Mine in Huaibei, Anhui Province, was included in the national PPP demonstration projects. This project is the second and third phases of a key initiative for geological environment remediation in Huaibei, a city facing resource depletion. The total investment amounts to 2.2 billion yuan, of which 220 million yuan comes from special national funds allocated for mine geological environment remediation, with the remainder financed entirely through social financing.

　　Comment: The PPP model—short for Public-Private Partnership—is a project financing approach that China has adopted in recent years from the West for public infrastructure development. Under this model, private enterprises and private capital are encouraged to collaborate with the government and participate in the construction of public infrastructure. Mining and geological environment remediation requires substantial investment and takes a long time to recoup costs. During periods of sluggish mining economies, it is difficult for mining companies alone to complete such projects, while relying solely on government investment may lead to issues such as inefficient use of funds and low operational effectiveness. The inclusion of the Huai Bei Zhonghu remediation project in the national PPP demonstration program has set a precedent for tripartite governance in the field of mine environmental management.

　　17. Panzhihua’s scientific monitoring fosters green mines.

　　The Surveying and Mapping Technology Service Center of the Sichuan Bureau of Surveying and Mapping and Geoinformation has leveraged high-resolution remote sensing technology—specifically, the "Tianyan" system—to monitor, since 2006, the ecological and environmental changes at 52 large, medium, and small tailings ponds in Panzhihua City. By integrating this data with the National Geographic Conditions Census and basic geographic information, the center has analyzed the impact of tailings pond operations on the surrounding ecological environment and visually demonstrated, from a geospatial perspective, the effectiveness of comprehensive tailings pond management. Furthermore, the center has established digital health records for each tailings pond.

　　Comment: On the satellite remote-sensing images provided by the Surveying and Mapping Technology Service Center of the Sichuan Bureau of Surveying and Mapping and Geoinformation, one can clearly see how the green area surrounding the Panzhihua tailings pond has gradually expanded over the past decade. Mine remediation requires scientifically sound and rational planning, as well as support from advanced technological means. Remote-sensing monitoring offers a uniquely advantageous perspective for mine environmental management, providing essential baseline data and decision-making support to ensure the sustainable development and utilization of mineral resources.

　　18. Shandong delineates ecological protection red lines.

　　In November, Shandong completed the delineation of ecological red lines for its terrestrial ecosystems. The total area of these 533 red-line zones accounts for 13.2% of the province’s total land area and is primarily located in regions such as the Jiaodong Peninsula, the southern mountainous areas of central Shandong, the Yellow River Delta, and the Southern Four Lakes. By 2020, emissions are expected to be reduced by approximately 50% compared to 2010 levels. Seven cities in the provincial capital city cluster—including Jinan and Zibo—will achieve “coal-free” urban areas.

　　Commentary: In the first three quarters of this year, Shandong Province continued to see improvements in its water environment. The average number of days with "blue skies, white clouds, and twinkling stars" reached 194.8, an increase of 21 days compared to the same period last year. The comprehensive air quality index improved by 6.2% year-on-year, indicating a sustained upward trend in environmental quality. All these positive developments are no mere coincidence. Thanks to stringent emission reduction targets and the concerted efforts of both government and enterprises, green mountains and clear waters are truly turning into mountains of gold and silver.

　　19. Relocated households affected by geological disasters in Ningde, Fujian, may receive subsidies.

　　In March, Ningde City in Fujian Province issued the 2016 relocation task for geological disaster-prone areas. According to regulations, old houses will be demolished, and the former homesteads will be returned to the village collective and subsequently reclaimed as farmland. After passing acceptance inspection, the provincial government will provide a subsidy of 10,000 yuan per household to those relocated due to geological hazards, while the municipal government will provide a subsidy of 5,000 yuan per household. The newly reclaimed farmland resulting from the reclamation of former residential sites of those relocated due to geological hazards will be eligible for the urban-rural construction land increase-decrease linkage policy; all proceeds from the paid transfer of these indicators will be used exclusively for compensating the demolition of old homes, providing resettlement allowances, covering reclamation costs, and funding infrastructure development in the relocation and resettlement areas.

　　Comment: In traditional Chinese culture, the family is a symbol of one’s roots. When people are forced to relocate due to natural disasters, local residents not only feel emotionally attached and reluctant to leave their old homes but also worry about their livelihoods. How can we ease the lingering anxieties in their hearts? Ningde City has taken a series of practical measures—such as linking the area of land reclaimed through relocation with urban-rural land-use adjustments and implementing tiered compensation—to both safeguard the lives and property of the people and effectively mobilize funding sources for resettlement area development, thereby minimizing the losses caused by relocation. This ensures that residents can move with full transparency and confidence, moving into their new homes filled with hope.