A comprehensive national assessment of China's key ecological function zones reveals that intensified protection and restoration efforts have begun to reverse ecosystem degradation, though underlying vulnerabilities and ongoing human pressures still pose significant challenges.

The findings, released on Wednesday in a report on the ecological status investigation and assessment of national key regions, highlighted a mixed picture of hard-won progress and persistent risks.

The report, compiled by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, covers nine major strategic zones, including the Yellow River Basin, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Initiated under the framework of the 5th national survey on ecological status change, the report reveals not only conservation effectiveness but also a list of problems that require urgent attention, ministry spokesman Pei Xiaofei said in a news conference on Wednesday.

The report noted sustained improvement in ecosystem quality within the Yellow River Basin, with the vegetation "green line" expanding about 300 kilometers northwestward. A preliminary, coordinated national and local governance system has been established in the basin, it said.

In the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, shallow and deep groundwater levels have rebounded significantly compared to 2018, by 2.59 meters and 7.06 meters, respectively.

Pei also said it remains challenging for the country to further improve the general quality of its ecosystem. Given the inherent fragility of its ecosystems, China has a limited capacity to rely on natural processes for conservation and restoration, he stated.

"Meanwhile, some ecological function areas remain subject to encroachment," he said.