An ecological restoration project entitled "Zhangjiagang Bay: Practice of Ecological Restoration in China" was recently selected as a Sustainable Development Goals Good Practice. It serves as an important reference for green and low-carbon development and ecological civilization in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province and all of China.

Zhangjiagang Bay is the last bay before Yangtze River enters the sea and is known as “the first bay where rivers meet the sea”. In the past few decades, with the rapid growth of port industries, environmental and ecological issues have become increasingly prominent.

To address these problems, Zhangjiagang has specially formulated a plan and launched an ecological upgrading project in line with the national strategy of “Great Protection of the Yangtze River” and the general principles of ecological restoration along the coast.

The project eliminates low-efficiency industries, optimizes spatial layout and builds ecological wetland and corridor. It firmly restricts fisheries and commerce, brings wild life and improves water and land quality. These practices are direct to ensuring clean water, industrial restructuring, protection of ecological resources and underwater creatures. Besides, the restored ecological space is open to the public and local villages further develop eco-tourism and cultural tourism, which creates the employment of villagers and improves their happiness.