STORY: Exploring Eco-China | How China supports mangrove conservation
DATELINE: July 18, 2023
LENGTH: 00:00:00
LOCATION: ZHANJIANG, China
CATEGORY: ECOLOGY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of mangroves
2. various of the Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve
3. STANDUP 1 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
4. STANDUP 2 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
5. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
6. STANDUP 3 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
7. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
8. STANDUP 4 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
9. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): WANG JIANZHONG, Nature photographer
10. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): WANG JIANZHONG, Nature photographer
11. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
12. STANDUP 5 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
13. SOUNDBITE 6 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
14. SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): ZHANG WEI, Deputy director of Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve Administration
15. SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): ZHANG WEI, Deputy director of Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve Administration
16. SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): ZHANG WEI, Deputy director of Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve Administration
17. SOUNDBITE 10 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
18. STANDUP 6 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
19. SOUNDBITE 11 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
20. STANDUP 7 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
21. SOUNDBITE 12 (Chinese): DING XINYUAN, Researcher at Mangrove Conservation Research Center of Zhanjiang Bay Laboratory
22. SOUNDBITE 13 (Chinese): DING XINYUAN, Researcher at Mangrove Conservation Research Center of Zhanjiang Bay Laboratory
23. SOUNDBITE 14 (Chinese): DING XINYUAN, Researcher at Mangrove Conservation Research Center of Zhanjiang Bay Laboratory
24. STANDUP 8 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
25. SOUNDBITE 15 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
26. STANDUP 9 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
27. SOUNDBITE 16 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University

STORYLINE:

The coast of the Leizhou Peninsula at the southernmost tip of the Chinese mainland is the habitat of hardy shrubs and trees called mangroves.

They are extremely important to the coastal ecosystems they inhabit.

As mangroves are reported to be retreating at an alarming rate around the world as a whole, they're expanding their ground in China.

STANDUP 1 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
"Now we are at the biggest single mangrove forest in China. It's the Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve.
Today, I have invited a Burmese girl from Guangdong Ocean University to join me to explore what efforts have been made here to protect the mangrove forests."

STANDUP 2 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
"Hello! Nice to meet you.
Kyi Kyi Htwe, what do you know about the mangroves?"

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
"They're called the 'guardian of the coast,' which can protect coasts from erosion. And they offer a favorable habitat for many species."

STANDUP 3 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
"Today we are going to meet a local photographer who has been recording the changes of mangrove forests in Zhanjiang for almost three years."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
"That's awesome. I cannot wait to meet him!"

STANDUP 4 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
"Let's go."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): WANG JIANZHONG, Nature photographer
"Once, I had gone to the same mangrove forest each day for a month, to observe the changes that occurred there. I enjoyed the sounds of nature.
I watched the sunrise and sunset, and observed birds leaving and returning to their nests. The sceneries were so breathtaking."

The mangroves, covering a total area of 6,400 hectares here, are an important stopover site for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

Now, over 300 species of birds have been observed here, more than 50 percent higher than 20 years ago.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): WANG JIANZHONG, Nature photographer
"The conservation of mangroves manifests the harmony between man and nature.
There are policies made by the government, such as cultivating mangrove forests, restoring the ecology there, banning the hunting of wild animals and rare bird species, and clearing up the river and sea water.
In recent years, the number of birds I've shot in the mangrove forests has grown from only several dozen, to hundreds or even over a thousand. The number and varieties of birds have both been increasing, and the sea water gets cleaner as well."

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
"Yang, I'm so impressed by the harmony between human and nature."

STANDUP 5 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
"You're right. I've talked to an official at the nature reserve, where she showed me around and shared her arduous but meaningful work experiences."

SOUNDBITE 6 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
"Oh, I'm really curious about her work."

Zhang Wei, deputy director of Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve Administration, has dedicated herself to protecting mangroves for over 20 years.

SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): ZHANG WEI, Deputy director of Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve Administration
"The work of the conservation of mangroves includes scientific research and monitoring. We collect data and use it to assess whether the ecology in the mangrove forests meets the target.
Also, we've conducted restoration.
In addition, we have done a lot of public outreach work, to raise awareness of the importance of mangroves."

Zhang said the government's support played a crucial role in the mangroves' protection.

SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): ZHANG WEI, Deputy director of Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve Administration
"The government has many encouraging policies. There have been sound laws and regulations. There are very strict punishments for causing damage to the mangroves, and also, restoration of the mangrove forests will be rewarded."

Over the years, Chinese President Xi Jinping has attached great importance to the protection of mangroves.

In April this year, Xi inspected the mangrove area on the Jinniu Island in Zhanjiang and learned about the growth of mangroves and the surrounding ecological environment.

SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): ZHANG WEI, Deputy director of Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve Administration
"President Xi stressed that the mangroves are a 'national treasure' and we should protect them as we do our own eyes.
I was so touched, for he not only cares about the mangroves, but also the entire ecosystem of the mangrove forests. He views the conservation of mangroves from a systematic perspective.
While the world's mangrove area is still decreasing, the mangrove area in China has kept expanding."

SOUNDBITE 10 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
"I was surprised to hear the progress made here are so well-designed, elaborated, and scientific. Also, I'm touched by President Xi's concern. President Xi, his vision is really forward-looking."

STANDUP 6 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
"Exactly. With increased protection, the mangroves are also helping generate economic value."

SOUNDBITE 11 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
"Oh, that's quite interesting."

STANDUP 7 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
"So, let's find out how."

The mangroves have breathing roots and favor tidal submergence.
However, the trees cannot survive if submerged underwater for extended periods.
And traditional aquaculture is believed to be a main driver of mangrove losses.

SOUNDBITE 12 (Chinese): DING XINYUAN, Researcher at Mangrove Conservation Research Center of Zhanjiang Bay Laboratory
"Fishermen would keep the water at a particularly high level to increase the production. The water would submerge the mangroves (without receding), and over time, the trees would die of suffocation.
It surely would be nice if the aquaculture ponds could be converted back to forests. However, this may also lead to another problem, that is, affecting the livelihood of local people."

Ding's project focuses on how to strike a balance between protection and production of mangrove forests.

SOUNDBITE 13 (Chinese): DING XINYUAN, Researcher at Mangrove Conservation Research Center of Zhanjiang Bay Laboratory
"How can this dilemma be resolved? The Integrated Mangrove-Aquaculture System (IMA) is our solution. Through simple terrain transformation in the ponds, mangroves are planted in high areas, and water is reserved in low areas for aquaculture. In this way, the mangroves' cultivation and restoration work can proceed while sustainable livelihood is created for locals at the same time."

Ding's lab is also exploring ways for locals to make more profits from the improving ecology.

SOUNDBITE 14 (Chinese): DING XINYUAN, Researcher at Mangrove Conservation Research Center of Zhanjiang Bay Laboratory
"The mangroves are valuable for boosting ecological tourism. They also produce edible food. The two most typical examples are that the fruits of the Avicennia marina are edible, and flowers of the Aegiceras corniculatum can produce honey.
If we, while protecting them, fully unleash the value of mangrove eco-products, it will contribute to green and high-quality development, as well as to ecological civilization."

STANDUP 8 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
"How do you like our journey?"

SOUNDBITE 15 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
"It's educational. The stories well manifested that efforts to protect mangrove forests are made at both grassroots and government levels in China. Chinese people are improving the diversity of mangrove ecosystem while generating economic values."

STANDUP 9 (English): ZHOU YANG, Xinhua correspondent
"What has impressed you the most?"

SOUNDBITE 16 (English): KYI KYI HTWE, Burmese student at Guangdong Ocean University
"That will be how much the restoration and protection of mangroves are valued in China. I came to China four years ago. I have traveled to many places across China and witnessed that the country is getting greener day by day. President Xi's philosophical thinking on the relationship between mankind and nature serves as the guiding theory underpinning the country's sustainable future.
China's achievements in ecological conservation and enhancing biodiversity protection are gaining more recognition and acclaim globally and indeed provide valuable experience to the world."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Zhanjiang, China.
(XHTV)