#China #Sustainable Development #Xiamen #Xiamen Bay Area #Marine Ecosystem

Xiamen's Innovative Approach to Sustainable Bay Area Development

Xiamen, a coastal gem located in southeastern China, is embracing its unique identity as a bay city by implementing innovative strategies that intertwine economic growth with ecological preservation. Recent statistics from the World Bank highlight that approximately 60% of the global GDP is generated from urban bay areas, making them crucial for economic activity worldwide. However, these regions face substantial challenges balancing development and environmental protection. Xiamen demonstrates how to achieve this equilibrium effectively.

From November 25 to 27, 2024, Xiamen hosted the event ‘Dialogue with the World: Telling Xiamen’s Story,’ where journalists and guests from ten different countries—such as the USA, the UK, France, Japan, and Egypt—came together to explore how this city adeptly harmonizes ecological practices with the pursuit of high-quality urban development. The agenda included visits to key ecological sites, such as Yundang Lake and the Gaoqi Water Purification Plant, alongside discussions with experts dedicated to environmental conservation.

Zhou Lumin, a member of Xiamen’s oceanology expert group, commented, “The ocean is in the city, and the city is on the ocean.” This phrase encapsulates Xiamen’s geographical reality—rich in marine resources yet marked by the vulnerabilities stemming from a limited ecosystem area. Like many global bays, Xiamen grapples with environmental issues, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

In response to these challenges, local authorities have implemented various initiatives aimed at enhancing coastal management and restoring marine ecosystems. Key projects include the “One Bay, One Policy” initiative, which promotes tailored strategies for each bay area to optimize resource management sustainably. Urban developments now incorporate green roofs, while substantial efforts in mangrove restoration and the protection of endangered marine species, such as the white dolphin, showcase the city's commitment to ecological health.

After visiting Xiamen, communication expert David Ferguson expressed his admiration for the impressive mangrove rehabilitation efforts, emphasizing that many regions across Asia, Central America, and Africa have suffered ecological damage due to coastal urbanization. He advocates that Xiamen's model could serve as a valuable reference for other countries striving for a balance between urban expansion and environmental safeguards.

This year marked the 19th consecutive Xiamen International Ocean Week, which serves as a platform for fostering global dialogue on marine conservation. Annual international exchange activities strengthen partnerships, showcasing collective efforts in ecological stewardship. Moreover, Xiamen University established a maritime surveillance and information service center that assembles experts from diverse fields, focused on cultivating interdisciplinary teams dedicated to technological innovation in ecological civilization.

In just 30 years, Xiamen has developed a distinctive ‘Xiamen Model’—an approach that seeks harmonious coexistence with nature while promoting quality living standards. Underlying this model is the understanding that the city can thrive economically without sacrificing the environment, serving as an exemplary case for other urban bay areas worldwide.

Xiamen invites the world to engage with its pioneering practices, presenting a vision of urban growth that prioritizes ecological integrity as an indispensable element of sustainable development. As the global community faces increasing environmental pressures, Xiamen stands as an inspiring template for how cities can navigate the complex waters of economic and ecological sustainability.