THE Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve won the Star Wetland Centre for People award 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.

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 dedication to educating and informing people about the importance of wetlands. The first group of winners was announced in 2022.

COP15, under the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” commenced on July 24 in Zimbabwe. During COP14, held the 2022, 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.

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 Ministry of Natural Resources, China 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. (Wang Jingli)