We are joined in the studio by CCTV's Hou Na, to learn more about Chinese wetland projects.

Q1. Why are wetlands so important?

A: Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rain forests and coral reefs. They can be thought of as "biological supermarkets", because they generate huge volumes of food for a large number of  species. Animals that usually live in other habitats often use wetlands along their migration routes or to reproduce.

Wetlands maintain flows of water, which helps keep river levels normal and prevents flooding. They are also important for other ecosystems. Wetlands are like nature's kidneys, they purify surface water. In some places, people have created artificial wetlands to purify local water supplies. Wetlands also help clean the air.  Carbon is stored in the wetland's plants and soil. In this way, wetlands help to moderate our global climate.

Q2.  What about wetlands in China?

China has more wetlands than any other Asian nation. Only three countries in the world have more wetlands than China. Chinese wetlands cover an area of 65.9 million hectares. They are divided into 8 main areas and collectively cover 5.58 percent of the China's surface area.

Yet, according to a recent statistic, wetlands in China have decreased by around three and half million hectares in the last ten years.Wetlands act like giant sponges. Their disappearance can result in floods, reduced biodiversity, climate change, and desertification . China has made a great efforts since joining the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1992, and worked hard to restore China's wetland eco-systems.

The government has established 535 natural wetland reserves, 30 of which are also classified as Wetlands of International Importance. And thanks to effective protection -- the world's highest and largest natural wetland, the Lalu Wetland in Lhasa,  has stopped shrinking and even started expanding.

Moreover, The government is committed to protecting more wetlands in the future. By 2030, there will be 713 wetland reserves in China, including 80 Wetlands of International Importance. And over 90 percent of NATURAL wetlands will receive government protection. At the same time, the government plans to restore 1.4 million hectares of wetlands and protect 53 national wetland zones --- in order to establish a relatively complete system of wetland protection, management and construction.