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A comprehensive project was initiated in Nanjing in mid-December to clean the Qinhuaihe, the city's mother river, and to improve the environment in the area. Local people say they've been looking forward to this project for a long time.

The Qinhuaihe, a branch of the Yangtze River, is the mother river of Nanjing. For about five kilometers, it runs through the southern part of the city, where both literati and merchants gathered in ancient times. For hundreds of years, the river was renowned for its picturesque scenery and flourishing commerce, art and culture.

Running through one of the most ancient cities in China, the Qinhuai River reached its prime in the Ming and Qing dynasties, more than 400 years ago. Thanks largely to its convenient water transportation, the Qinhuai district became highly developed at that time, and both business and culture flourished. In fact, it was the most flourishing place in Nanjing, bustling with dwellings, shops, teahouses and brothels along the riverbanks. All night, the painted boats shuttled to and fro with courtesans and customers, poets and painters; lights gleamed on the water and music floated o'er rippling waves.

Today, the Qinhuai River District is Nanjing's most unique cultural area, with distinctive local characteristics combining commerce, tourism and folklore. Much of its former charm has been restored: Visitors are intoxicated by the beautiful scenes, sounds of music and the splashing of oars and the tempting aroma of local delicacies; they also find a large number of historical and cultural relics along the river.

But over the past few years, with the acceleration of urbanization and economic growth, the river has become seriously polluted, and the living environment along the river is getting worse.

The problem is so serious that earlier this year 11 experts from Nanjing University wrote a letter to the municipal government, calling for urgent action to clean up the river and the surrounding environment. Zhou Qiyi, a primary student from the local residential quarter, wrote a letter to the Mayor, saying he is very upset because everyday he can see litter and debris floating on the river. In his letter, he expressed the hope that one day the river and the district will be the cleanest and most beautiful place in Nanjing.

The municipal government of Nanjing attaches great importance to these concerns. In April this year, a special task force was set up to lead a dredging and comprehensive project to clean the river and renovate the surroundings. Part of the project, including the filtering of waste in the water and the renovation of the embankment and the city wall near the river, was kicked off a few months ago. The dredging of the river started this month, since the water level is lowest at this time of year. In addition, the unplanned hodge-podge of houses along the river is being demolished to make way for the project.

The whole project includes a comprehensive program of water conservancy, environmental protection, landscaping and the construction of both roads and residential quarters. It is estimated that it will take about three years and 3-billion yuan, roughly 350-million US dollars, to complete. The local people hope the project will help restore the Qinhuai Riverto its former beauty, so they and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the rich cultural heritage of the area in the setting they deserve.