An aerial drone photo shows a pathway along the coastline in Qingdao city, East China's Shandong province, Aug 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

　　Located along the Yellow Sea, the Qingdao West Coast New Area in North China's Shandong province is a national-level hub dedicated to marine industries.

　　With a sprawling 309-kilometer coastline, 23 natural bays and abundant wetland resources, it serves as a critical ecological barrier for the region.

　　Despite its natural splendor, the area faces mounting challenges due to rapid urbanization, including coastal wetland degradation, declining biodiversity and weakened carbon sequestration capacity. In response, local authorities have launched extensive marine ecological protection and restoration campaigns.

　　“Over 150 kilometers of coastline have been rehabilitated, 1,200 hectares of coastal wetlands restored and 260 hectares of coastal vegetation revived since 2012,“ said Zang Haoyu, deputy director of the Qingdao West Coast New Area.

　　A notable achievement last year was the discovery of a 306-hectare eelgrass bed in Tangdao Bay, with an impressive 82 percent coverage rate, the largest of its kind in the province, he said.

　　Zang shared these experiences in marine ecological protection and restoration with nearly 400 participants from 29 countries and regions, including officials, experts, scholars and business leaders, during the First Ocean Decade International Coastal Cities Conference held in Qingdao from Tuesday to Thursday.

　　The case study garnered widespread acclaim, underscoring the importance of local action in advancing global marine sustainability.

　　Participants emphasized the critical role coastal cities must play in addressing climate change and improving ocean governance.