The Shanxi delegation to the National People's Congress (NPC) recently made a joint suggestion on establishing an experimental zone to promote the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin.

The suggestion was made to the NPC during the 2024 two sessions. 

Shanxi province, located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, has a main stream of the Yellow River running through it. This stream spans 965 kilometers within the province, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the total length of the Yellow River. 

The Yellow River basin in Shanxi is the core area for the province's economic and social development. It is a hub for various industries, such as coal, chemical, steel, non-ferrous metals, and manufacturing. Additionally, it is a crucial ecological security barrier in North China. 

In recent years, Shanxi has provided valuable experience and served as a model for promoting ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin. This has been achieved through efforts in soil erosion control, ecological environment protection, green and low-carbon transition, as well as the preservation and promotion of Yellow River culture. 

The Shanxi delegation suggested that the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and other relevant departments incorporate support for the new Shanxi experimental zone into their future plans and policy documents.