On August 14, overseas media representatives and foreign expats from Bangladesh, Canada, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Pakistan visited the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying City, east China's Shandong Province, during the "Strolling Through Dongying, Decoding Yellow River Culture" International Communication Event. They visited the Yellow River Delta wetland along the eco-tourism route to learn about the wetland ecosystem, wildlife conservation, and ecological restoration efforts. The unique wetland landscape and rich biodiversity nurtured by the confluence of the Yellow River and the Bohai Sea left the delegation in awe.

The delegation visited the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve.

Photo by Wang Xianxin

The Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve focuses on protecting the newly formed wetland ecosystem and rare and endangered birds. Located at a key node of the East Asia-Australasian Flyway, it is an important "transit station" for migratory birds crossing continents. Every year, millions of migratory birds stop here to overwinter or breed, earning it the reputation of "international airport for migratory birds".

In recent years, Dongying has steadily advanced ecological conservation and restoration, bringing continuous improvement to the quality of wetland ecosystems. Thanks to years of efforts, the number of bird species in the Nature Reserve has risen from the initial 187 to 376, including 26 species under national first-class protection and 72 under national second-class protection. It has become the world's largest breeding ground for oriental white storks, the world's second-largest breeding site for Saunders's gull, the southernmost wild breeding boundary for red-crowned cranes, and the world's second-largest wintering habitat for Siberian cranes, marking remarkable achievements in ecological protection.

The delegation visited the Yellow River Delta Bird Museum.

Photo by Wang Xianxin

In the Nature Reserve, the delegation visited the Yellow River Delta Bird Museum, the natural willow boardwalk, the Bird Release Area, the Yellow River Estuary stone tablet and the Yuanwang Building.

The birds release area.

Photo by Wang Xianxin

The group photo.

Photo by Wang Xianxin

Dongying, as a city located at the Yellow River Estuary, has always given high priority to ecological protection in its development. The ecological conservation practices in Dongying and even across China has left a deep impression on the delegation.