China has always attached great importance to environmental protection around the Po Yang Lake area. The government has adopted a series of measures in recent years to further preserve the ecosystem there. Our reporter Liu Yan has the details.

Reporter:

Located in central China's Jiangxi Province, Po Yang Lake is not only the largest freshwater lake in the country, but also a world renowned bird protection zone. To better control floodwaters and preserve biological diversity, the Po Yang Lake Nature Protection Zone was established in 1983.

Ji Weitao is the head of the Nature Protection Bureau in the Po Yang Lake area.

Po Yang Lake is considered the mother lake for people in Jiangxi, and we cannot shy away from our responsibility to protect it. If the environment deteriorates so badly that even birds cease to come here, how can we expect people to stay?

According to Ji Weitao, the government has allocated 30 million yuan, or 4.2 million US dollars, for environmental protection in the area. Patrol officers inspect the lake area every day to ensure nature is left undisturbed. The protection departments also work in cooperation with districts, counties, and villages to further preservation efforts.

Many local citizens have made sacrifices to preserve the lake. Rao Bin, the owner of a local farm, said his farm suffered short-term economic losses in 2001 by rejecting foreign investment offers.

As you can see, this sand beach has turned into a wet land. Every year, stocks of birds fly here during the winter season. Such harmony between humans and birds is rarely seen nowadays.

The local government is also actively working with overseas institutions. Through extensive cooperation, the local environmental protection industry has received extensive funding, equipment, as well as training and inspections. Here's Ji Weitao again.

We have established cooperation with experts, scholars and organizations from all over the world, such as the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, the World Health Organization, UNDP, the Global Environment Facility, and World Wildlife Fund.

Now in winter, abundant grass and flowers can be seen everywhere around Po Yang Lake. Flocks of wild cranes, swans and other migratory birds continue to fly here, in search of warm weather and clear waters.

Liu Yan, CRI news.