China has established 903 national wetland parks over the past two decades, safeguarding 2.4 million hectares of wetlands and providing vital habitats for endangered species such as the black stork and Chinese merganser, officials said at an international wetland conservation symposium held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Wednesday.

The event, commemorating the 20th anniversary of China's national wetland park system, highlighted the country's efforts to balance ecological preservation with sustainable development, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Over 90 percent of these parks are free to the public, promoting eco-tourism, cultural activities, and environmental education.

"Wetland parks exemplify China's commitment to harmonizing ecological protection and human well-being," said Wang Zhenbo, a researcher at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"By restoring degraded wetlands and integrating them into urban planning, we've not only revived biodiversity but also created green havens that benefit millions," he said.