China Achieves Major Progress in Urban Bay Cleanup Efforts

China has successfully tackled litter in urban bays, with most of the debris effectively removed following a targeted cleanup initiative that began last year. This campaign, which commenced in June 2024, is part of a broader three-year action plan established by four central government agencies, aiming to address marine debris in 65 bays connected to urban areas nationwide.

At a recent news conference, Zhang Zhifeng, who is the deputy director at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, reported that drone monitoring indicates a significant reduction in marine litter along shorelines. The litter coverage decreased from over 0.5 percent last summer to roughly 0.13 percent in early 2025. Authorities have pinpointed and addressed debris in 157 coastal sections over a span of approximately 126 kilometers.

Zhang also noted the implementation of several innovative strategies by local governments. In Zhejiang province, for instance, the Blue Circle initiative integrates modern technologies such as blockchain and the internet of things to enhance the collection of plastic waste from marine environments. This system not only enables individuals to monitor the recycling process but also allows them to receive competitive payments for the plastic they gather via a mobile application. Verified materials can then be sold at higher prices.

The Blue Circle program has established 36 collection points across all coastal cities and counties in Zhejiang, resulting in the collection of 50,800 metric tons of marine debris to date. Furthermore, improvements have been recorded in managing pollution discharges into the ocean. A new digital platform is in place for overseeing discharge points, with 63,000 registered by the end of May. Environmental compliance has been rectified at nearly 93 percent of crucial outlets in key bay areas.

According to the ministry, 83.7 percent of China's nearshore waters achieved a quality rating of Grade II or above last year, marking an improvement of 6.3 percentage points since 2020.