On August 12, in anticipation of the second National Ecological Day, the expert symposium titled “Ecological Protection and Restoration Empowering High-Quality Development in the Capital” was successfully held at the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall. This event was organized by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources and hosted by the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning & Design and the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall. The symposium aimed at a harmonious coexistence between human and nature in Beijing, support high-quality development through high-level protection, and explore optimal solutions for ecological protection and restoration in mega-cities. It also focused on implementing the Western Beijing Water and Mountain Project with the highest standards.

Notable attendees included Fu Bojie, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Researcher at the CAS Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences; Wang Hao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Honorary Director of the Institute of Water Resources, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research; Yu Kongjian, Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and Dean of the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at Peking University; Gu Shuzhong, Member of the Beijing Municipal Committee and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council; Luo Ming, Director of the Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation, Ministry of Natural Resources, and Executive Deputy Director of the Asia Center for Nature-Based Solutions; and Lei Aixian, Executive Director of Han Jian Consulting and Vice President of the Beijing Society of Land Science.

The symposium was chaired by Zhou Tongwei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources. Other participants included Zhang Wei, Director General of the Commission, Shi Xiaodong, President of the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning & Design, Liu Xianshu, Deputy Director General of the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau, Yang Jinhui, Deputy Director of the Beijing Water Authority, and Wang Xiaoping, Level-II Inspector of the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau, along with representatives from various departments.

During the symposium, experts engaged in lively and in-depth discussions on topics such as the ecological protection and restoration of the capital, focusing on multi-dimensional coordination, climate resilience, value realization, and implementation mechanisms. They provided comprehensive insights and recommendations, from strategic guidance to practical implementation. The experts emphasized the importance of adhering to natural geographic patterns and ecosystem evolution, enhancing systemic, holistic, and coordinated approaches, and scientifically applying nature-based solutions. They highlighted water ecosystem resilience and explored the best solutions for ecological security, urban resilience, green development, and a livable environment.

Additionally, various departments shared constructive opinions on the construction of a “Beautiful Beijing,” covering water security, water ecology, water landscape management, and the “Great Beijing Forest Action Plan.”

Zhang Wei expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the Commission to the experts and departments for their strong support of the capital’s ecological protection and restoration efforts. The symposium provided valuable insights and guidance for ecological protection and high-quality development in the capital. Moving forward, under the organization of the Commission, the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning & Design will further enhance key projects and provide technical support, such as the dynamic evaluation of the full-basin life community of the Western Beijing Water and Mountain Project, contributing to the ecological civilization of the capital.