Ecological, balanced future of Yangtze topic at forum

Eco-friendly and balanced development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt was highlighted on Saturday in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, as officials, experts and members of the media discussed how best to protect the natural resources of the area.

The group discussion was organized by dozens of media organizations — from the upper reaches of the Yangtze in Yunnan province to the river's estuary in the eastern coastal province of Zhejiang — that have reported on the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

The development of the belt, which covers 11 provincial regions with a combined GDP that accounts for more than 40 percent of China's total, is a key national strategy.

Reporters raised questions focusing on strengthening environmental protection along the Yangtze while promoting the regional economic development at the same time, and government officials were there to answer.

Ning Hong, a reporter from China Global Television Networks, raised questions about the industrial pollution of the river, and inquired about governmental solutions.

"We have seen a lot of factories on the riverbanks along the way," Ning said. "If the governments are to move or close them, how can we ensure they won't rise again or pollute other places?"