Innovative action

Leading the green charge in Guilin's business sector is textile and apparel giant Esquel Group, which has a major facility in the city focused on sustainable development. The company has introduced "an eco-wash process that uses just 4 percent of the water needed to wash a typical garment, eliminating wastewater entirely", said Teresa Yang, the company's vice-chairperson.

"In 2021, we announced our pledge to achieve carbon neutrality. Integral, our sustainable development garden in Guilin, showcases how a traditional industry can transform its operations to become a more sustainable business model. We have managed to achieve zero discharge and earn major awards such as the LEED certification," said Yang, referring to the global green building rating system.

The group is also developing innovative technologies such as waterless dyeing and salt recovery.

By investing in cutting-edge sustainable technology, it is showcasing its commitment to protecting precious natural resources such as the Lijiang River, she said.

Another major part of the innovation and technological drive powering Lijiang protection and development efforts includes a state-of-the-art, comprehensive 5G digitally integrated ecological protection and utilization platform.

Rolled out with a total investment of 316 million yuan, the project includes 19 water quality monitoring stations in the area's main channels and tributaries to carry out real-time tracking of water quality and supervision of illegal sewage discharge and floating debris, with an early warning system to automatically detect substandard water quality and other conditions.

The network also covers 213 high-definition video surveillance installations and more than 1,900 mobile surveillance cameras to monitor key docks, watersheds and related venues in real time, with an intelligent analysis system deployed to detect illegal construction and garbage disposal, according to the platform's operator.

The intelligent monitoring system can also detect exhaust from cruise vessels and provide timely warnings, and a biodiversity monitoring function conducts real-time surveys of protected wildlife, collecting data on the types of rare species and how often they appear.

A "comprehensive law enforcement smart service" feature completes the emergency rescue early warning capabilities, including first-aid facilities set up in scenic spots.

The platform allows for full coordination with the public security bureau and related agencies under an intelligent law enforcement system that combines drones and 5G communications equipment, said Liu Huanmei, deputy director of the Lijiang River management committee.

"This technology raises the efficiency and response time needed to protect the river and its surroundings," Liu said.

"It also takes into account the needs of the community and gives residents a personal stake in the waterway by including them in the early warning and monitoring systems."

Further downstream, many Guilin residents are already playing their part to keep their river clean and flowing smoothly. For diving instructor Tang Junwen, that means rallying more than 200 of his trainees, dive club members and volunteers to take part in a grassroots underwater garbage pickup project.

Since 2022, more than 1.5 metric tons of underwater trash such as glass shards, cans and plastic products have been retrieved from the waterway, said Tang, 46.

"This gives people a personal responsibility to take care of the river, and it's paying off," Tang said. "We can see for ourselves that biodiversity is improving around and under the water, even as the amount of trash is dropping.

"We also hope to inspire more people through our actions to keep our beloved Lijiang beautiful."