The China Grand Canal Public Welfare Activity was launched in Beijing to protect this world heritage entity in terms of eco-environment and cultural preservation.

Together with several stakeholders, the China Environmental Protection Foundation launched the action to celebrate the second anniversary of the successful application for UNESCO world heritage recognition.

It will focus on the preservation of 58 heritage sites and establish the eco-environment and cultural preservation areas. Also, a public-service foundation will soon begin operation to raise more funds in order to plant trees and stage an annual forum along the canal, etc.

The 1,794-Km Grand Canal (also known as the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal), is the longest artificial waterway in the world and a famous tourist destination. Starting at Beijing, it passes through Tianjin and the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the city of Hangzhou, linking the Yellow River and Yangtze River. The oldest parts of the canal date back to the 5th century BCE, although the various sections were finally combined during the Sui dynasty (581–618 CE).

Secretary-general Shen Linxiang explained why this foundation decided to plant public-Welfare forests. “The biggest problem is that some branches in the canal have dried up, due to lack of water supply. We believe the best way for water conservation is to plant more trees,” he said.