"The water is cleaner, the fish are fatter and the number of birds around the lake has grown significantly," Li said, reflecting on the changes.

Renowned for its abundant fish resources, Chagan Lake has seen its fish production rise from 3,000 tons to 5,000 tons. The number of bird species has also increased from 239 to 276, with 1.95 million birds inhabiting the area.

The synergy between ecological improvements and tourism has created a multiplier effect for the local economy. Over the past six years, Songyuan has hosted over 30 popular sports and cultural events, including the Chagan Lake Marathon and the Wetland Triathlon International Elite Competition.

The clean water is a natural treasure and a source of livelihood for residents, Li said.

Over 30 percent of residents in nearby villages are now engaged in tourism and related industries. The annual per capita income in the area rose from 12,000 yuan ($1,654) in 2017 to 30,000 yuan last year.

According to Li, Chagan Lake's integrated approach has driven the joint development of the ecological environment and the economy citywide.

This year, Songyuan has received 16.45 million tourist visits, a 16.5 percent increase from last year, generating 25.4 billion yuan in revenue. Ecotourism has become a cornerstone of the city's economic growth, Li said.

The city has implemented ultralow-emission transformations of coal-fired boilers, significantly improving air quality. This year, 90.9 percent of the days in Songyuan recorded good air quality.

As an essential clean energy hub in Jilin, Songyuan also has excellent potential for developing wind and solar power. The city's total installed wind and solar energy capacity is 38 million kilowatts, accounting for 33 percent of the province's total, Li added.

Songyuan has been advancing the integrated development of green electricity, hydrogen, the green chemical industry and equipment manufacturing, leveraging sustainable practices to drive economic growth.

lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn