SZ wetland centers win global recognition at COP15

The Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve and the Shenzhen Bay Park Wetland Education Center received the Star Wetland Centre Award during the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, on Sunday.

A flock of egrets rests on a mangrove tree at Shenzhen Bay Park, a key habitat for migratory birds in Shenzhen. File photo

The Star Wetland Centre Award is presented by Wetland Link International (WLI), a support network for wetland education centers that provide on-site engagement activities. The award recognizes globally outstanding institutions engaged in wetland conservation, ecological education, and public engagement for their commitment to raising awareness about the importance of wetlands. The first group of winners was announced in 2022.  

Recipients of the Star Wetland Centre Award and other awards pose for a photo during the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, on Sunday. The Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve and the Shenzhen Bay Park Wetland Education Center are among the winners. Courtesy of Mangrove Conservation Foundation

COP15, under the theme "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future," began July 24 in Zimbabwe. During COP14, held in 2022 in Geneva, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China would strengthen global cooperation on wetland conservation and establish an international mangrove center in Shenzhen.

The world’s first International Mangrove Center (IMC) was officially established in Shenzhen on Nov. 6, 2024. Currently, 19 countries have expressed interest in membership.

Wetlands have become beloved outdoor recreational spaces and natural healing destinations for Shenzhen residents. From the Shenzhen Bay coastal wetlands and OCT Wetland to the Dasha River, Maozhou River, and Xichong Beach wetlands, Shenzhen has implemented a series of wetland restoration projects in recent years with remarkable results.

CCTV News footages showcase Shenzhen’s achievements in wetland conservation. CCTV News

Currently, Shenzhen's total wetland area spans 347.88 square kilometers, with coastal wetlands accounting for approximately 77%. These wetlands feature typical South Asian tropical ecosystems, including mangrove forests, coastal mudflats, coral reefs, estuaries, and bays.

According to the latest data from China's Ministry of Natural Resources, the country has newly cultivated 9,200 hectares of mangrove forests as of June 2025. China's total mangrove area has now reached 30,300 hectares, representing an increase of approximately 38% compared to the beginning of this century.