RECLAIMED WATER CLEANS UP LAKE, RIVERS

Ecological civilization plays important role in Shaanxi's modernization drive

Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

Xi'an Lake, located in the north of the Shaanxi provincial capital Xi'an, used to be an eyesore avoided by the locals, after years of sand exploitation and factory runoff left it stinking and polluted.

"When I was a child, adults would tell us to stay away from it," said Chen Xu, 37, referring to the body of water the size of roughly 200 soccer pitches.