Caribbean, African journalists explore Taiyuan's Fen River ecological restoration

Journalists from the Caribbean and African countries visit the Fen River Scenic Area on Oct 26 in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. [Photo by Li Jialu/For chinadaily.com.cn]

More than 10 journalists from 14 countries, including Jamaica, Gabon, and Madagascar, visited Taiyuan, Shanxi province, on Monday to witness the ecological restoration of the Fen River Basin, the second-largest tributary of the Yellow River.

Melvin Pennant, a reporter with the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica, was impressed by the vastness of the river and the views it presented. "I saw the sunset fit perfectly behind the bridge," he said.

Pennant commended China's green transition efforts, suggesting that they will ultimately benefit all aspects of life. "Green energy is best for the environment and human beings in general," he said.

As the second-largest tributary of the Yellow River, the Fen River is revered as the Mother River of Shanxi. The ecological restoration project for the urban stretch – known today as the Fen River Scenic Area – began in October 1998. After 27 years of sustained restoration efforts, the river has become a textbook example for ecological protection.

"The Fen River has more than 20 bridges, along with these historic sites and walking paths, which make residents feel very much at peace," said Farlan Beni Evaka, a reporter with Gabon Television. He believes the river's restoration can set an example for other rivers.

The five-day event will also take the journalist delegation to the cities of Jinzhong and Yangquan to experience Shanxi's practice of Chinese modernization on the ground.

Li Jialu contributed to this story.