The "Huzhou Water Ecological Product Value Realization Report" is released at the World Water Day event in Huzhou. [Photo/Tide News]

An event was held in Xiayang village, Anji county, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, on March 22 to celebrate World Water Day.

The event highlighted Zhejiang's 20-year achievements in water conservation, emphasizing the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets". It also underscored Huzhou's significance as the birthplace of this concept and the "River Chief System".

Huzhou, a pioneer in implementing the "River Chief System" since 2003 in Changxing county, has overhauled it. With city-level river chiefs coordinating, county-level river chiefs leading, and grassroots river chiefs managing daily affairs, along with "police chiefs" and "inspectors", the governance system has become more robust.

A leader guides volunteers to salvage floating objects in Changxing county. [Photo/Tide News]

Huzhou also introduced the innovative "Green Water Coin" reward mechanism, encouraging public participation in water governance through activities like river patrols and pollution reporting.

At the event, the Development Research Center of the Ministry of Water Resources released the "Huzhou Water Ecological Product Value Realization Report", showing Huzhou's success in promoting economic and social development through water governance.

Among the 20 typical cases of water ecological product value realization announced by the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Water Resources, Huzhou occupies four seats.

The city's efforts have yielded tangible economic benefits: over 70 instances of water ecological product value transformation, approximately 630 million yuan ($86.86 million) generated, over 4,000 jobs, and significantly higher village incomes.