To thoroughly study and implement the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and to fully enact the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress along with President Xi Jinping’s significant directives on propelling the Yangtze River Economic Belt towards high-quality growth, on the morning of September 23, 2023, China International Engineering Consulting Corporation (CIECC), in conjunction with China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC) and the Lao Jiao Tong think tank, orchestrated the Forum on Green Development Along the Yangtze River in the New Era. This assembly concentrated on exploring themes of green progress for the Yangtze in the new era, dedicating expertise and vigor to the vision of transforming the Yangtze River Economic Belt into a paragon of eco-friendly development in harmony with nature.

Several dignitaries graced the forum with their presence and addressed the attendees. These included Chu Qi, Deputy Director of the Department of Infrastructure Development at the National Development and Reform Commission; Zheng Qingxiu, Deputy Director of the Administration of Water Transport, Ministry of Transport; Zhang Yunchang, First-Class Inspector at the Three Gorges Project Management Office, Ministry of Water Resources; and Wu Daoxi, Deputy Director of the Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Ministry of Water Resources. Additionally, Wang Jianbin, Deputy Director of the Changjiang River Administration of Navigation, Ministry of Transport, was present at the forum.

CIECC Chairman Gou Husheng elaborated on the multifaceted role of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, highlighting its status as a vanguard of ecological civilization, a beacon of innovation-driven transformational development nationwide, a globally impactful inland economic belt, and a model of synergistic progression among the eastern, central and western regions. He emphasized that it should undertake a pioneering Chinese modernization mission, striving for major advancements in spearheading high-quality economic and social development.

Gou underscored the essence of the Yangtze’s green evolution as hinging on a paradigm shift in developmental philosophies and approaches, prioritizing ecological and environmental conservation and remediation. He stressed the importance of propelling traditional industries towards a greener trajectory, with a strategic emphasis on developing eco-friendly infrastructure, and voiced CIECC’s commitment to bolster practical cooperation with CTGC and other relevant entities to infuse the high-quality green ascension of the Yangtze River with increased intellect and strength.

Remarks by CIECC Chairman Gou Husheng (photo)

Chairman Lei Mingshan of the CTGC reflected on the organization’s thirty-year journey to becoming the world’s preeminent hydropower developer and a leader in China’s clean energy sector. He highlighted the complete establishment of the largest clean energy corridor along the Yangtze’s main channel, aiming to ensure a more serene river, cleaner energy, a more picturesque environment and smoother navigation — all part of a comprehensive mission to “manage the Three Gorges and protect the Yangtze River”.

Lei highlighted the fruitful collaborations between the CTGC and CIECC, from the Three Gorges to Baihetan Hydropower Station, spanning from grand-scale hydropower projects to overarching protection initiatives. He announced CTGC’s intent to leverage the forum as a springboard to broadly adopt the “Smart Urban Water Steward” model, robustly develop the National Engineering Research Center for Ecological Environment Along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, intensify the integrated utilization of water resources across the Yangtze basin and join forces with CIECC and other stakeholders to resonate with the “Song of the Yangtze” in this new era.

Remarks by CTGC Chairman Lei Mingshan (photo)

At the forum, Hu Xijie, who serves as the Director of the CIECC Academic Committee of Experts and the Director of the Lao Jiao Tong think tank, presented a compelling report. Additionally, Xu Xiangde, the former Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, contributed his expertise. Representing the CISPDR Corporation, Chairman Yang Qigui spoke on behalf of Niu Xinqiang, the organization’s Chief Scientist and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Their reports were respectively titled Strategies for the Development of Yangtze River Navigation in the New Era, The Impact of Extreme Climate on the Safety of the Yangtze River’s Water Resources and Reflections on the High-Quality Development of Clean Energy and Water Transport on the Yangtze River.

Director Hu Xijie delivering a keynote report (photo)

Academician Xu Xiangde delivering a keynote report (photo)

Chairman Yang Qigui delivering a keynote report (photo)

Six academicians from the CIECC think tank — Huang Zhendong, Wang Qingyun, Zhang Chaoran, Gao Juncai, Jia Dashan and Xia Qing — engaged in vigorous thematic discussions upon invitation.

The dissemination of the research findings, Strategies for the Development of Yangtze River Navigation in the New Era, was a highlight of the forum. These findings tackled pivotal issues, including the national strategic requirements for Yangtze River navigation, trends in comprehensive transportation along the river, the demands of the Yangtze’s Golden Waterway transport, the pursuit of green development in Yangtze River navigation, the maximization of the comprehensive benefits from key hub projects and the visionary planning and construction of new navigation channels at the Three Gorges hub. These suggestions were proposed from a strategic vantage point, aligning with the overarching goals of the CPC and national progress, and were offered for contemplation and action by experts and scholars in the field.

Chief Consultant Zhu Jun of CIECC moderating the session focused on sharing strategic insights (photo)

Dou Hao, Deputy General Manager of CIECC and Executive Director of the CIECC Academy of Strategic Studies, Zhang Shuguang, the Chief Engineer of CTGC, and Zhu Jun, Chief Consultant of CIECC each chaired various segments of the forum.

Over 140 representatives from a broad spectrum of institutions, including the China Academy of Transportation Sciences, the China Waterborne Transport Research Institute, the JSTI Group, the CISPDR Corporation, as well as affiliates from relevant industry associations, research institutes and media circles, participated in the forum. Furthermore, the forum was accessible via online broadcast, igniting widespread engagement and dialogue on the green development along the Yangtze River among a broader audience.

Marked by a distinctive theme and thorough discourse, the forum facilitated an open platform for attendees. These distinguished guests and experts shared their insights and deliberations on the pressing issues surrounding the protection and development of the Yangtze River, and offered their vision and strategic thinking on fostering the green development along the Yangtze River in the new era. The forum’s successful execution is anticipated to significantly contribute to enhancing the utilization of the Yangtze River’s Golden Waterway and to advance the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.