XIAMEN, China, Dec. 4, 2024 — According to World Bank figures, ports and bay areas generate roughly 60% of global economic output. While their abundant marine and environmental resources fuel economic growth, these areas also face the challenge of balancing development with environmental protection.

The southeastern Chinese coastal city of Xiamen exemplifies this balance through sustainable development. Over three decades, Xiamen’s comprehensive ecological restoration has harmonized human activity with nature, creating the “Xiamen model” for high-quality growth and improved living standards.

The city’s achievements were showcased at the “China in Dialogue with the World: Storytelling Salon in Xiamen,” held from November 25 to 27. This event attracted international journalists and experts from over ten nations, including the US, UK, France, Japan, and Egypt. Participants toured landmarks such as Yundang Lake, the Gaoqi sewage treatment plant, Gulangyu Island, Xiatanwei Mangrove Park, and Wuyuan Bay Wetland Park, engaging in discussions with local experts on the city’s ecological strategies.

Zhou Lumin, a member of Xiamen’s marine expert panel, noted that while Xiamen possesses diverse marine resources, it also has a small land area and fragile ecosystems. Similar to many bay cities globally, Xiamen confronts environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. To address these, Xiamen has implemented integrated coastal management to improve marine ecological restoration. This includes green roofs, mangrove wetland restoration, and protection of species like the Chinese white dolphin.

David Ferguson, an international communications specialist, praised Xiamen’s mangrove restoration efforts. He highlighted the global threat to mangroves in areas such as Asia, Central America, and Africa, emphasizing Xiamen’s success as a valuable example for other regions facing similar challenges.

Xiamen also prioritizes international collaboration in environmental protection. The city has hosted the annual World Ocean Week for nineteen years, alongside numerous international exchange programs. In 2013, Xiamen University launched the Marine Monitoring and Information Service Center, a platform for scientific and technological advancement in sustainable coastal development.

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