Winning the Highest Honor! What Benefits Will It Bring to Fuzhou Residents? Let’s See Details→
Recently, Fuzhou was awarded the title of “International Wetland City,” the highest honor in the field of wetland ecological protection for a city. This also makes Fuzhou the first city in Fujian Province to receive this international recognition.
Currently, there are 74 certified International Wetland Cities globally. How did Fuzhou achieve this prestigious honor? What benefits does the creation of an International Wetland City bring to its residents? And what are the next steps?
This afternoon, the Fuzhou Municipal Government held a press conference on wetland protection to introduce the relevant work.
According to the conference, Fuzhou officially launched the creation of an International Wetland City in 2023, with all wetland protection indicators meeting international standards. In April 2024, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration nominated Fuzhou for the International Wetland City certification. During the 64th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on Wetlands in January 2025, the Co-Chairs of the Independent Advisory Committee for Wetland City Certification announced the addition of 31 new cities to the certification program, with Fuzhou among them. From July 23 to July 31, 2025, during the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands, Fuzhou was officially granted the title of “International Wetland City,” becoming one of the nine newly selected cities in China and the only city in Fujian Province to receive this honor. Currently, there are 74 certified International Wetland Cities worldwide.
To date, Fuzhou has a wetland area of 194,200 hectares, accounting for 15.14% of the city's total area—about one-third of Fujian Province’s wetland area—ranking among the top coastal cities in China. The city boasts one internationally important wetland, the Fujian Minjiang River Estuary Wetland, and eight provincially important wetlands, including the Changle Minjiang River Estuary National Wetland Park, the Fujian Mawei Minjiang River Estuary Wetland Provincial Nature Reserve, and the Changle Clam Resource Enhancement Reserve (including the Zhanggang Xishi Clam National Germplasm Resource Reserve). There are also three provincial-level or higher wetland nature reserves and 103 drinking water source protection zones, with a wetland protection rate of 55.33%. This has formed a wetland protection system combining nature reserves, wetland parks, drinking water source protection zones, and provincially important wetlands.
View of Fuqing Bay Wetland
Over the years, Fuzhou has continuously carried out wetland protection and restoration work, bringing ecological benefits to its residents.
Improved Living Environment
Currently, all black and odorous water bodies in Fuzhou urban areas have been eliminated, with 121 rivers opened to the public. The goal of “clear water, smooth rivers, green banks, and beautiful scenery” has been largely achieved.
The Urban Water System Joint Drainage and Regulation Center was established, utilizing digital technology and the tidal effects of the Minjiang River to operate sluice gates in coordination. This allows the river water to be introduced into the urban waterways twice daily, ensuring water introduction, circulation and clarity.
Rivers like Liuhua Creek have regained their clarity and become scenic spots for residents to relax, exercise, and enjoy.
Increased Recreational Spaces
Through projects like Happy Rivers and Lakes and Beautiful Bays, Fuzhou has integrated the West Lake Wetland Park and the Zuohai Wetland Park, expanding the total area of West Lake Park to 78 hectares. The Jin’an Lake area has created a 2.3-kilometer-long, 1-square-kilometer sponge ecological green axis. The Sanjiangkou area has developed public recreational spaces like the South Jiangbin Ecological Park.
Fuzhou has also built a 1,395-kilometer greenway network and over 1,500 parks. Five water routes have been opened, allowing residents to easily access Fuzhou’s mountains, trails, waters, and scenic spots. “Green views from windows, parks at doorsteps, and scenery along the way” have become a reality.
Enriched Educational Resources
Fuzhou has established multiple wetland-themed educational venues, including the Fuzhou Planning Exhibition Hall, the Minjiang River Estuary Wetland Museum, the Sanjiangkou Botanical Garden, and the Marine Museum. Additionally, over 200 educational bases have been set up in nature reserves, aquatic germplasm resource protection zones, and urban parks, all open to the public for free.
Minjiang River Estuary Wetland Photographed by Cai Xinran
These venues and bases attract numerous students, tourists, researchers, and eco-enthusiasts during events like “World Wetlands Day” and “Bird-Loving Week.”
Thriving Ecological Industries
Fuzhou’s fishery output value has ranked first in China for 30 consecutive years, with aquatic product production ranking second nationally. In key wetlands, measures like “returning aquaculture areas to wetlands” have been implemented, with employment arrangements for affected farmers. For example, the Minjiang River Estuary Wetland Nature Reserve provides full-time wetland ranger and assistant positions for former aquaculture farmers, effectively achieving ecological compensation.
Minjiang River Estuary Wetland Photographed by Shi Meixiang
Next, Fuzhou will leverage its “International Wetland City” title to strengthen wetland protection enforcement, enhance hierarchical and classified management, and build a smart monitoring system. The city will also initiate a new round of municipal and county-level wetland protection planning, promote ecological restoration and sustainable use, and advance high-quality wetland protection to consolidate the achievements of the “International Wetland City” initiative. Fuzhou will also release theFuzhou International Wetland City Enhancement Plan (2025–2031)to ensure the city passes the recertification in 2031 and maintains long-term ecological protection.