Ding Zhongli, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), speaks at a meeting on the enforcement of the Yangtze River Protection Law in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan province, Aug 16, 2022. [Photo/npc.gov.cn]

A team led by Ding Zhongli, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), inspected the enforcement of the Yangtze River Protection Law in Southwest China's Yunnan province, from Aug 16 to 19.

Located in the upper reaches of the river, Yunnan has seven prefecture-level cities in the river basin, making it an important shield for ecological security. During the visit, the team heard reports on the law enforcement, held meetings with lawmakers at five levels, experts, scholars and grassroots law enforcement officers, and also performed onsite inspections in cities including Kunming and Zhaotong.

The team reviewed ecological restoration efforts at Changyao Mountain near Dianchi Lake, checked the implementation of the 10-year fishing ban imposed in key waters of the Yangtze River in Haiyan village. In Anning, they examined progress of the relocation and industrial transformation and upgrading of steel enterprises. The team also looked into the operation of waste and sewage treatment facilities in Weixin county of Zhaotong, and inspected the demolition of small hydropower stations and the ecological restoration progress at the source of the Chishui River.

Ding hailed the province's progress in establishing a basic work mechanism and an accountability system to enforce the law. He also urged the province to continue its efforts to protect the river, overcome challenges, and exercise the power to enact regional laws in the endeavor.

A team led by Ding Zhongli (third from left), vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), visits Haiyan village to learn about the implementation of the 10-year fishing ban in key waters of the Dianchi Lake in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan province, Aug 17, 2022. [Photo/npc.gov.cn]