Huangpu Taps Maritime Silk Road Heritage to Build Green Waterfront Economic Belt

At a recent press conference marking the 10th anniversary of Guangzhou’s citywide implementation of the river chief system, Xu Dan, deputy head of Huangpu District, outlined three priorities: using waterways to support industry, improve residents’ livelihoods and showcase local culture.

First, Huangpu is drawing on the successful development of the Nangang River under the “Happy Rivers and Lakes” initiative, which has helped attract more than 1,600 enterprises meeting designated size, revenue or qualification criteria to its basin. The district is bringing together resources along the Nangang River, the Jingxia water system and the Fuxu Canal to build a green waterfront economic belt.

The Nangang River

Second, the district is connecting Jingxia Village and Huangma Community to create a demonstration belt integrating agriculture, culture and tourism for rural revitalization. This aims to translate ecological improvements into tangible gains in residents’ incomes and village development.

Third, Huangpu is drawing on its Maritime Silk Road heritage to develop the “Fuxu Shier Shi” cultural tourism project. It will offer two routes: daytime walking tours to enjoy the scenery and nighttime boat tours to view the illuminated waterfront. The district will also work with businesses along the routes to develop educational industrial tours, enhancing the area’s ecological, economic and cultural value.

The Fuxu Canal at night

Looking ahead, Huangpu will build on the Nangang River’s achievements as a national model under the “Happy Rivers and Lakes” initiative and accelerate similar efforts across the district, ensuring that more rivers and lakes benefit local communities. These efforts will support Guangzhou’s continued implementation of the river and lake chief system and offer experience for modernizing water governance in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

By Lu Jiazhen