The ecological environment quality index of Guangxi's Xijiang River has significantly improved

On June 4, the Department of Ecology and Environment of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region reported that in 2025 the Xijiang Ecological Environment Quality Index reached 88.35, up 5.53 from 2021, and the ecological environment quality rating of the river basin was “excellent.” Officials said that the continued improvement of Xijiang’s water quality helps safeguard the water supply security of the GuangdongHong KongMacao Greater Bay Area. The report said that the Xijiang Index covers 14 indicators, including water resource security, water environment improvement, and water ecological health, and its assessment scope covers 98 counties (cities, districts) in 13 prefecturelevel cities in Guangxi. Data show that from 2021 to 2025, the Xijiang Index rose steadily, the compliance rate of ecological flow at key control sections remained above 97.28%, and the water quality at the GuangxiGuangdong border section remained stable at Class II. Guangxi has also continued to promote integrated river basin governance, including inspections and rectification of sewage outfalls discharging into rivers, pollution sources involving heavy metals, and problematic locations at aquaculture farms. Since the main body of the Datengxia Water Conservancy Project was completed, it has also used coordinated dispatch during the dry season to provide emergency water replenishment to the Greater Bay Area, and has played a role in storage and regulation when salt tides arrive, improving the security of freshwater intakes in places such as Zhuhai and Macao.