Photo taken on Aug 21, 2023 shows a group of waterfowl at the Minjiang River Estuary Wetland in Fuzhou, Fujian province. The Minjiang River Estuary Wetland in Fuzhou, Fujian province, has a high density and variety of waterfowl. It serves as an important stopover along the East Asian-Australasian flyway. [Photo by Wei Peiquan/For chinadaily.com.cn]

In the past, the wetland faced threats from human activities that put its ecological balance at risk. In April 2002, an effort to protect the ecosystem was initiated by the provincial government. Over the past 21 years, remarkable results have been achieved through efforts to restore and preserve the wetland.

In 2020, it was included in the list of nationally important wetlands. In February this year it was included on the list of Wetlands of International Importance.