A program to collect environmental samples in the Yangtze River was launched in Nanjing City amid celebrations of the 51st World Environment Day on June 5.

The program was jointly organized by the Department of Ecology and Environment of Jiangsu Province, the Publicity Department of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and Xinhua Daily Media Group.

Under the guidance of professionals from the Nanjing Environmental Monitoring Centre, young participants learned how to collect soil samples and protect soil. They also took air samples and participated in other activities on water purification and a simulation of the migration of Yangtze finless porpoises.

Similar events were also organized in other cities along the river including Suzhou, Changzhou, Zhenjiang, Taizhou, Nantong, Wuxi and Yangzhou.

Jiangsu inaugurated the campaign - Yangtze River Protection and Green Growth- on June 5, 2019, mainly inviting children to get involved in understanding and protecting the river’s environment and also supporting sustainable development. The campaign will continue for 12 years in Jiangsu’s cities along the Yangtze River.