Xi pointed way for Xiamen's prosperity

Pioneering road map put environmental protection at heart of urban development

At dawn, beside the lush, green Yundang Lake, joggers tread lightly along the lakeside path, newlyweds capture memories in wedding photos, and migratory birds skim the water's surface, sending ripples across the lake.

Today, the lake, with its sparkling waters and vibrant ecosystem, has become a "living room" for the coastal city of Xiamen and a green landmark.

However, more than 40 years ago, the scene was starkly different. At that time, the lake was still an inner bay fishing port, into which untreated domestic sewage and industrial wastewater were discharged for years. The lake became black, foul-smelling and devoid of aquatic life, and locals referred to it as a "dead lake".