The Yangtze River is the third longest river in the world, running more than 6300 kilometers (3915 miles) long from its source in the glaciers of the Tanggula Mountains in Qinghai Province, China to its mouth in the East China Sea. It’s the longest river in Asia, and the sixth longest river system in the world, originating from western China and flowing east through 11 provinces and two municipalities, Beijing and Shanghai. This significant river is both an important river for industry and transportation and an important natural resource.
Every summer, seasonal flooding deteriorates the banks of the Yangtze and carries away millions of tons of fertile soil. In some years, the floods are so bad that they cause widespread destruction to many of its tributaries, such as the Min, Jiang and Jialing rivers, making it particularly hazardous. China has built extensive dams, levees and walls to help protect their largest cities from flooding, with the Three Gorges Dam being the most well-known.
The Yangtze is the country’s lifeblood, its main artery of industry, water-transportation, power and food production. Connecting the North and South, it provides a direct route for cargo ships carrying a vast majority of Chinese exports and imports. Civilizations have existed on its river banks since prehistoric times, with many towns and cities flourishing along its vast stretch of water. The Yangtze is home to China’s three great gorges, the Qutang Gorge, the Wu Gorge and the Xiling Gorge, admired for their majestic views.
Recent studies show the Yangtze River Basin makes up 40% of China’s land area and produces over 40% of the country’s agricultural products. It’s a major fishery, providing over 50% of the country’s total aquatic production. Due to its biodiversity and productivity, it continues to be an important water source for both farming and industry.
The Chinese government is keen to capitalize on the potential of the Yangtze River but doing so will require modernizing its infrastructure, protecting its environment and natural resources, and mitigating the effects of flooding. According to leading Chinese ecologist, Zhiheng Xu, “The Chinese government has made great progress in developing the infrastructure and environment in the Yangtze River Basin. But despite their efforts, pollution is still a major concern, and managing it will still require significant efforts from all stakeholders.”
China is investing heavily in the Yangtze River Basin in an effort to protect and develop the region, with over $34 billion allocated for river-related projects in 2017. The goal behind projects such as this is to promote a more balanced economic development along the river and to help reduce poverty, while protecting the river’s ecological resources. The projects are part of a broader investment into the Yangtze Basin’s infrastructure and ecosystem, in order to maximize the potential of this invaluable resource.
Hydropower
Hydropower is the oldest and largest source of renewable energy in China, and the Yangtze River, with its numerous tributaries and islands, is responsible for a significant portion of the country’s total hydropower capacity. The country has built more than 200 dams and hydropower projects along the river, and plans to install another 3,000 by 2020. Hydropower generators produce billions of megawatts of electricity every year, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the country’s total electricity output.
Hydropower is an increasingly important energy source for an increasingly industrialized China. As the country’s energy demand continues to rise, hydropower presents a key opportunity to reduce dependency on non-renewable energy sources. There are concerns, however, about the environmental impacts of hydropower projects, such as increased flooding risk, sediment buildup, ecosystem disruption and water pollution.
According to China Water Risk Initiative, the country has the largest hydropower capacity in the world and is the world’s biggest hydropower producer. China’s investments in the Yangtze River Basin, and its ambitions to increase hydropower production in the region, will be critical in helping the country achieve its renewable energy goals.
Navigation and transport along the Yangtze depends on careful management of both human and natural resources. The river provides a vital transportation corridor for commercial and passenger traffic, allowing for the shipment of goods and materials to many of China’s major cities. Shipping companies maintain a steady flow of traffic throughout the year, transporting a variety of cargo across the entire length of the river. The Chinese government is investing heavily in developing the river’s navigational infrastructure, including dredging projects and the construction of larger vessels, to further facilitate and improve navigation.
Yangtze River transport is an important source of income for many of the towns and villages along its banks. Fishing boats ply the waters and communities rely on tourism and yearly festivals, such as the ‘Three Gorges Festival,’ to bring in much-needed revenue. Local and international business, too, are increasingly utilizing the river as a cost-effective means of shipping goods and services, helping the local economy along the way.
The Yangtze is a major source of employment, providing jobs to thousands of boat operators, fishermen, farmers and factory workers along its length. Furthermore, traditional river-based activities remain a way of life, such as boat-building and paper-manufacturing, which are important cultural and economic activities.
Pollution
The Yangtze River Basin is the most populous and industrial region of China, and it’s also the biggest source of water and organic pollution in the country. The river, which flows through 11 provinces and municipalities, is polluted in many areas. Pollution enters the water system through agricultural runoff and industrial waste, posing significant risks to watershed health and the environment.
The increasing levels of pollutants, pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorus and heavy metals, are causing serious health risks to humans, wildlife and the environment. There is also the danger of chemical waste from manufacturing plants and sewage outbreak, which further exacerbates pollution levels and poses a threat to community health. According to the China Water Risk Initiative, “industrialization and population growth continue to increase pollution levels in the Yangtze River Basin, and effective management of sources and waste will be essential for reducing the impacts of water pollution.”
The Chinese government has taken several measures to reduce pollution in the Yangtze River Basin. It has set strict environmental standards and regulations, established a series of monitoring and on-site enforcement stations and launched clean-up projects to help reduce pollution levels. The government is also encouraging businesses to switch to green technologies, such as renewable energy and electric transportation. Many of these measures have proven to be effective in reducing pollution levels, but there is still much work to be done.
Conservation and Protection
China has long been committed to conserving and protecting the Yangtze River Basin, with the country investing millions of dollars into efforts designed to enhance watershed health and reduce the evolving threats of water scarcity and pollution. The Chinese government is responsible for managing the impacts of human activity in the basin and for restoring the river’s ecosystems, which are essential for ecosystems maintenance, tourism and primary production.
In recent years, the government has implemented a variety of conservation projects, including wetland restoration, species conservation and land use management. These projects aim to maintain the river’s biodiversity, reduce pollution levels and increase water-use efficiency. The Chinese government has also set up a series of nature reserves along the Yangtze, to help protect the river’s ecosystems and wildlife.
The government has also launched several campaigns aimed at raising public awareness of the importance of conserving the Yangtze Basin. It has organized educational programs and events to educate the public on environmental protection, water conservation and sustainable development. The government is also encouraging businesses to become more environmentally friendly and to reduce their use of unsustainable practices.
A Symbol of Chinese Identity
The Yangtze River has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, and is often referred to as ‘China’s mother river’. Spanning more than 6,300 kilometers from its source in the west to its mouth in the east, this majestic river touches nearly every major city in China.
The Yangtze has been an integral part of life for many Chinese people. Thanks to advances in navigation and transportation, people from all over China come to the river for leisure, business, adventure and exploration. It is also a major source of employment, providing thousands of jobs in navigation, transportation and fisheries.
The Yangtze River is also a source of spirituality and hope, providing an opportunity for the Chinese people to reconnect with their cultural roots. Many of its communities have cultural festivals, such as the ‘Three Gorges Festival,’ which celebrates the beauty and grandeur of the Yangtze. The river is also a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world with its stunning landscapes, picturesque gorges and pristine waters.
The Yangtze River is a powerful symbol of Chinese identity and culture. From its source in the highest mountain range in China, to its mouth in the vast East China Sea, it is a physical and spiritual reminder of where the Chinese people have been and where they are going. And, of course, the 6,300 kilometer question of how many kilometers is the Yangtze River?
