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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) — In early summer, azure waves ripple gently across the Qinhuangdao Port in north China's Hebei Province, reflecting the bustling skyline of a modern port.
As an industrial port bay, the major port of Qinhuangdao, which specializes in the export of thermal coal, has previously faced significant pressure to combat pollution. However, a set of decisive measures, including environmental control at all stages of coal transportation through the port, the development of new energy areas, greening and the transformation of old industrial areas into tourist parks, have promoted the symbiosis and joint prosperity of the industrial port and the beautiful harbor.
COAL PORT “WITHOUT A SPECKLE”
The 27.66-kilometer coastline of Qinhuangdao Harbor runs from east to west, with much of it taken up by industrial port zones. This vital energy corridor handles about 500,000 tons of coal daily.
Advanced environmental technologies are applied throughout the entire production cycle “unloading – storage – collection – loading” from the moment the coal train arrives until the cargo ship departs.
In the eastern part of Qinhuangdao Port, a long train loaded with coal slowly pulls into a covered wagon dumper building. Three wagons with 240 tons of coal are instantly “caught” by the dumper, and after a 150-degree turn, the coal is completely unloaded. The entire process from the entry of the train to the completion of unloading takes less than 3 minutes, with virtually no coal dust visible in the air.
“I didn’t expect that coal unloading could be so clean and efficient, without a speck of dust, so to speak,” said retired former port worker Sun Xiuben.
After transportation on closed conveyor belts, the coal is delivered to warehouses enclosed by dust screens. Wang Shuai, senior manager of the environmental health department of Qinhuangdao Port JSC, explained that the main pollutants in the port area are large coal particles. To reduce the spread of dust, closed coal conveyors cover the entire area, and dust collection devices are installed at all transshipment points. Dust suppression systems on wagon dumpers, stackers and collecting machines work synchronously with intelligent watering and vacuuming machines running around the warehouses, preventing and suppressing dust.
Monitoring data for 2024 show that the comprehensive air quality index of Qinhuangdao Port was 4.03, down 5 percent year on year; PM10 levels dropped 14.3 percent; and total suspended particulate matter decreased 10.1 percent.
CREATION OF PORT-GARDENS
Qinhuangdao Port is also betting on new energy and new landscapes, creating a garden port.
In the eastern area of the port, containers with shore power supply systems have been installed. Large vessels can be connected directly to the terminal's power grid after mooring, switching off auxiliary diesel generators, which significantly reduces emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere during berthing and increases energy efficiency.
In addition, Qinhuangdao Port has built a 3.55MW distributed photovoltaic system, with an annual output of about 3 million kW. The port has also steadily increased the proportion of green electricity purchased. In 2024, Qinhuangdao Port purchased about 240 million kW of green electricity, accounting for 80% of the total consumption and equivalent to a reduction of 199,800 tons of CO2 emissions.
Entering the Guanhai Garden /Sea Viewing Garden/ in the port area, you feel a fresh and pleasant atmosphere. Greenery, flowers, paths, benches made from recycled old parts create a comfortable green space for visitors and port staff.
In 2018, Qinhuangdao Port established a comprehensive monitoring system covering the entire coastline of the port, which is responsible for coastal cleanliness, coastal ecology restoration, and promoting the construction of a garden port.
SYNERGY OF ECOLOGY, INDUSTRY AND CULTURE
During the May Day holiday this year, the Qinhuangdao Port Industrial and Tourism Zone received a record 254,700 visitors, up 247 percent from the same period last year and setting a new record for visits during the holiday.
Former coal piers, old rails and industrial equipment have become tourist attractions. "It's both a port and an industrial museum. These 'steel monsters' have an industrial aesthetic, every shot is a masterpiece," said Huang Ying, an amateur photographer from Tianjin, northern China.
The 127-year-old western area of Qinhuangdao Port is the founding site of the port and Qinhuangdao City itself, witnessing the birth and development of China's modern industry. In the course of upgrading the port and optimizing its functional zoning, old buildings were reconstructed, greenery was planted, and an industrial and tourist zone was created.
The historical appearance of the century-old port has been given a new lease of life by modern elements. The intertwining of old rails surrounded by flowers has created a unique sea of flowers; the pier for ships has been transformed into a bay for yachts and sailboats, where tourists can experience the joy of sailing; old warehouses have become cafes and exhibition halls; and such areas as themed products, local cuisine, photo sessions and guest houses are being developed.
Li Xiuping, a resident of a neighborhood near the port's industrial and tourist area, often takes walks by the sea with her family. "The old port is gradually turning into a fashionable tourist area, and more and more tourists are coming here. The port has not only given us a beautiful and comfortable coastal environment, but also given new impetus to the development of the city," she said.
Qinhuangdao, using the harbor as a link, combines ecology, industry and culture into a single chain of integrated development. The positive cycle of “improving the ecology – enriching the people and prospering the city – making the harbor even more beautiful” is rapidly gaining momentum. -0-
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