**Interviewer:** Can you explain the historical significance of Yichang, particularly in terms of its geographical location?
**Xia Huashan:** Yichang has long been known as the “gateway to the Three Gorges,” and historically, it’s been referred to as “the western gate of Chu.” Its strategic location connects the regions of Bashu and Jingxiang. The Yangtze River has played a crucial role in shaping the city’s history, offering Yichang numerous opportunities for growth and transformation.
**Interviewer:** What key factors have driven Yichang’s development over the years?
**Xia Huashan:** Two landmark projects have significantly influenced Yichang’s growth: the Gezhouba Project and the Three Gorges Project. Having worked here for nearly 40 years, I’ve seen how these initiatives spurred Yichang through two distinct phases of development. Starting with Gezhouba, constructed from the 1970s to the late ’80s, the city evolved from a small town into an emerging hydropower city. Then, with the launch of the Three Gorges Project in 1994, Yichang transformed from a medium-sized city into a key urban center.
**Interviewer:** How have these developments impacted the city and its relationship with the Yangtze River?
**Xia Huashan:** The construction of these two major projects has cemented Yichang’s importance in the governance and development of the Yangtze River. We’ve earned accolades like “The Hydropower Capital of the World” and “The Heart of China’s Power.” The imagery from poet Guo Moruo, depicting vast landscapes illuminated by the sunrise, has truly become our reality.
**Interviewer:** This transformation is impressive! How is Yichang managing ecological changes alongside its industrial growth?
**Lu Jianhua:** On nice days, I often invite fellow photographers to capture the Yangtze River dolphins, which have made Yichang their permanent home. Their numbers have surged from less than five in 2015 to over twenty today.
**Interviewer:** That’s remarkable! What initiatives have contributed to this positive shift in the ecological environment?
**Lu Jianhua:** Yichang has made considerable strides in protecting the Yangtze River. Once dominated by heavy industry, the local government has actively reduced industrial activities and shifted towards more sustainable practices. They’ve implemented comprehensive measures to enhance the environment, including a ten-year fishing ban and the development of green corridors along the riverbank.
**Interviewer:** What vision does Yichang have for its future development?
**Xia Huashan:** Yichang is positioning itself as a model city for Yangtze River conservation while setting its sights on becoming a world-class city. This involves pursuing goals on three levels: regional, national, and global. We’re committed to developing a core hub within the Yangtze Economic Belt and elevating our status as a national regional center and a prominent cultural tourism destination.
**Interviewer:** What specific strategies are in place to achieve this ambitious vision?
**Xia Huashan:** We are focusing on industrial transformation and upgrades, targeting emerging sectors like modern materials, healthcare, and renewable energy. Furthermore, with new transportation projects such as the Three Gorges shipping channel and rail improvements, Yichang is aiming to establish itself as a national transportation hub while fostering coordinated growth within the Three Gorges reservoir region.
**Interviewer:** How does tourism play a role in this vision?
**Xia Huashan:** Yichang is investing in its tourism infrastructure and services, aiming to leverage our rich cultural and natural assets to become a world-class cultural tourism destination.
**Interviewer:** In your opinion, what are the key aspects Yichang should focus on during its growth journey?
**Chen Lin:** As a city central to the development of these “national treasures” and a key point in the Yangtze Economic Belt, Yichang must emphasize ecological balance, safety, effectiveness, and cultural richness to achieve concentrated urban and industrial growth. This will enable us to contribute to the green and high-quality development of the Yangtze Economic Belt.
