Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on April 10 inspected south China's Guangdong Province.

He first went to the city of Zhanjiang, where he visited a mariculture base, an area of mangrove forests, a port, and a water resource allocation project.

Xi learned about efforts in developing marine aquaculture, strengthening the protection of mangrove forests, boosting transportation infrastructure connectivity, advancing the collaborative development of Guangdong with its neighboring island province of Hainan, and optimizing water resource allocation.

Spring has brought new life and beauty to the "City of Mangrove Forests", Zhanjiang, Guangdong. From the outskirts to the city center, the lush greenery and vibrant scenery are a feast for the eyes. Especially striking are the pristine mangrove forests, stretching for miles and standing as the most captivating blend of green and blue between the ocean and the land. These forests are hailed as a prime example of successful wetland ecological restoration worldwide.

Mangrove forest wetland: ocean guardians

The Jinniu Island mangrove forest, located in Shiqiao Village of Huguang Town in the Mazhang district, covers an area of over 3,000 mu. This forest is part of the Guangdong Zhanjiang National Mangrove Forest Nature Reserve, which spans over 20,000 hectares and includes the Jinniu Island mangrove forest. As journalists were traveling to the mangrove forest, they spotted a slogan along the way: "Protect the mangrove forests and coastal wetlands, build a beautiful and green home by the sea." This sentiment reflects the growing consensus among residents about the importance of protecting the mangrove forests and their surrounding ecosystems

The Jinniu Island mangrove forest is home to ten of the 26 species of mangrove plants found in Zhanjiang, making it one of the most biodiverse areas of mangrove forest in the city. Mangrove forests are unique communities of woody, birth-bearing plants found in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones, commonly referred to as the "forests of the sea" and "ocean guardians".

They provide a complete ecological cycle system, conserving water and soil, and acting as natural windbreaks and coast stabilizers. They also offer an ideal habitat for numerous endangered species.

A model city for mangrove forest protection

In recent years, China has made great strides in protecting and restoring mangrove forests, becoming one of the few countries in the world with a net increase in mangrove forest areas. Zhanjiang, with one-third of Guangdong's coastline and nearly 80% of its mangrove forest area, is rightfully known as the "city of mangrove forests". Currently, Zhanjiang has a total of 6,398 hectares of mangrove forest resources, accounting for 23.7% of the total in China.

Zhanjiang started its protection and restoration efforts in 1990, and since then, large areas of red mangrove forests have been restored to their former glory. In 1997, the Zhanjiang Red Mangrove Forest Protection Area was upgraded to a national-level nature reserve. Today, the reserve has earned numerous accolades, including "International Important Wetland", "National Demonstration Nature Reserve", and "China People and Biosphere Reserve". In 2021, the "Zhanjiang Red Mangrove Forest Afforestation Project" implemented by the reserve management bureau was listed as a typical case of ecological restoration nationwide by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Agreenengine for high-qualitydevelopment

In recent years, Zhanjiang has been using the construction of the "City of Mangrove Forests" as a starting point to strengthen the protection of mangrove ecosystems. The city focuses on concentrated restoration, and vigorously promotes the deep integration of mangrove ecological protection with coastal tourism, sightseeing agriculture, leisure fisheries, and other industries. Zhanjiang is fully exploring the economic value of mangroves and is committed to building a "green engine" for high-quality development. Mangroves are one of the three major "blue carbon" ecosystems, and in June 2021, China's first "blue carbon" project transaction originated from Zhanjiang mangroves. "We promise that the income from this carbon sink will be used to help the community improve their lives and production, and can be used to better the living conditions of the communities around the mangroves," said Zhang Wei, a senior mangrove expert. He hopes that more people can know better about mangroves and truly appreciate the wonders and beauty of this unique ecosystem.

Data

The Zhanjiang mangrove forests cover 6,398 hectares, accounting for 23.7% of the country's total.

The total area of the national-level nature reserve is 20,278.8 hectares, making it the largest in China.

The reserve contains 15 families and 26 species of true mangroves and mangrove associates, and 312 bird species.

As of now, 410.5 hectares of aquaculture ponds in the core area have been cleared, and 714.7 hectares of aquaculture ponds have been added to the core area from other sites. Additionally, 4,575.96 hectares of aquaculture ponds have been managed in the experimental zone.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), a total of 5,700 mu of new mangrove forests were planted in protected areas, and 18,900 mu were fenced and replanted. In 2022, an additional 230 mu of mangrove forests were created.

守护海洋“国宝”，共享绿色红利

4月10日，习近平总书记在广东省考察调研，来到湛江市麻章区湖光镇金牛岛红树林片区，了解当地加强红树林保护的情况。

人间最美四月天。在“红树林之城”广东湛江，春意盎然、生机勃勃的风光，从远郊到城市中心，让人心醉。特别是原生态的红树林，郁郁葱葱，连绵数公里，“只此青绿”成为蔚蓝海洋与红褐土地之间最动人的颜色，被誉为“世界湿地生态恢复的成功范例”。

红树林湿地成为“海洋卫士”

世乔村金牛岛红树林片区，位于湛江市麻章区湖光镇西南面，连片红树林面积达3000多亩，而包括金牛岛红树林片区在内的广东湛江红树林国家级自然保护区，总面积逾2万公顷，是我国面积最大的红树林自然保护区。在前往红树林片区的路上，记者看到一句标语：“守护红树林海洋湿地，建设绿美碧海家园”。守护红树林已经成为当地人的一个共识。

据介绍，湛江共有26种红树植物，其中金牛岛就拥有10种，是该市红树林生物多样性较为丰富的地区。红树林是热带、亚热带海岸潮间带特有的胎生木本植物群落，素有“海上森林”“海洋卫士”之称。

红树林湿地存在着完整的生态循环系统，可以涵养水土、防风固岸，为众多濒危物种提供绝佳的栖息空间。

湛江保护红树林成为全国典范 

近年来，我国大力推进红树林保护和修复，成为世界上少数红树林面积净增加的国家之一。湛江有着广东三分之一的海岸线，更占据了广东近八成的红树林面积，成为当之无愧的“红树林之城”。目前，湛江共有红树林资源6398公顷，占全国的23.7%。

湛江自1990年开始保护和修复行动，大片红树林复绿重生。1997年，湛江红树林保护区升格为国家级自然保护区。目前，保护区是“国际重要湿地”“全国示范自然保护区”“中国人与生物圈保护区”。2021年，保护区管理局实施的“湛江红树林造林项目”被自然资源部列为全国生态修复典型案例。

打造高质量发展的“绿色引擎”

近年来，湛江以建设“红树林之城”为抓手，加强红树林生态系统保护和集中连片修复，大力推动红树林生态保护与滨海旅游、观光农业、休闲渔业等业态深度融合，充分挖掘红树林的经济价值，着力打造高质量发展“绿色引擎”。据介绍，红树林是三大“蓝碳”生态系统之一， 2021年6月，中国首个“蓝碳”项目交易就源自湛江红树林。“我们承诺碳汇的这笔收入，用于帮助社区老百姓，提升他们生活生产，可以反哺到红树林周边社区的居住生活上。”资深红树林专家张苇说，希望有更多的人能够懂得更多红树林的知识，由衷地去感受到红树林的的神奇和美好。

数据

湛江红树林资源 6398公顷，占全国的23.7%。

国家级自然保护区总面积20278.8公顷，全国面积最大。

拥有真红树和半红树植物15科26种，312种鸟类。

截至目前清退核心区养殖塘410.5公顷，异地增补核心区养殖塘714.7公顷，共管实验区内养殖塘4575.96公顷。

“十三五”期间保护区新造红树林5700亩，封育补植18900亩；2022年营造红树林面积230亩。

文 | 羊城晚报记者 王丹阳 许悦 丁玲
图 | 羊城晚报记者 邓勃
海报｜蔡红