In 2003, Hangzhou initiated a project to restore Xixi, which received a lot of support from the provincial government in Zhejiang.

Upholding the principals of prioritizing ecology, respecting local culture, maintaining the original look and ensuring sustainable development, the Hangzhou government pushed forward with the project in a protective and restorative way.

The water bodies, landforms, flora and fauna, folk customs and historic and cultural items, which present the entire image of the Xixi wetland, have all been preserved as part of the project.

The folk activities that were popular among local residents in the past, such as dragon boat racing and the lantern festival, have been rejuvenated, making the wetland even more culturally valuable.

Officials have strived to return the wetland to the way it was in the past and have endowed it with greater value in terms of ecology, culture and economy.

At the opening ceremony of the Xixi National Wetland Park 15 years ago, Xi, then Party chief of Zhejiang province, sent a congratulatory message encouraging Hangzhou to “make persistent efforts to further protect, manage, operate and study Xixi wetland”.