Qingdao released China’s first action plan to implement the Wanzhang System, an innovative mechanism for coastal environment conservation in China, on Sept 14.

Wanzhang translates as chiefs of bays. In the system local officials will be acting as “bay chiefs” and be responsible for the protective development at different sections of Qingdao’s coastal areas, including scientific allocation of resources, pollution prevention, and ecological restoration.

Qingdao has a coastal line of 905 kilometers (inclusive of 122.9 kilometers of offshore islands). The mayor, executive deputy mayor, and deputy mayor for maritime affairs and fishery have been appointed to “bay chiefs” at three major bay areas – the Jiaozhou Bay, the Laoshan Bay and the Lingshan Bay.

A timetable has been set in the action plan to ensure distinct improvement in natural environment and coordinated development in the society and economy at coastal areas by 2020.

By the end of October, the city will form an organizational framework for the full implementation of the initiative. With clear accountability and coordinated efforts in the system, it will strive to build an example of maritime ecological civilization in Qingdao.

The city has heavily invested in coastal area restoration in past few years, including treatments for coastal waterways, crackdowns on source of pollution, and increases of greenery along the coast.

The Jiaozhou Bay area has benefited substantially from these efforts. The coverage of good water quality raised from 46.4 percent of the water area in 2010 to 73.3 percent as of late. The sea area expanded from 346 square kilometers to 371 sqkm during the same period. 25 sqkms of sea area was reclaimed from clearing aquaculture facilities, which also provided a makeover to the coastal scenery.