Baiyangdian Lake, the largest freshwater wetland in Xiong'an New Area, Hebei province, has provided habitat for 242 species of wild birds, 36 more than the number before the area was established in 2017, according to the area's administrative committee.

The lake covers about 360 square kilometers.

"The lake is our beautiful home. We must protect the wild birds here and let them enjoy nature freely," Tian Yongfeng, a voluntary bird protector in Baiyangdian, was quoted as saying by Xinhua News Agency.

Tian said he has been exhilarated by the report delivered to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last month, which stressed the need to pursue green development and promote harmony between humanity and nature.

There are many volunteers like Tian. All of them are willing to do something for harmony, motivated by the fact that the ecological environment in the lake has seen a great improvement and the biodiversity has increased significantly.

Thanks to a series of environmental protection and restoration efforts in recent years, water quality in Baiyangdian reached Grade III last year, according to the department of ecology and environment in Xiong'an.

Grade I is the best level in the country's five-tier quality system for surface water. Back in 2017, water in the lake was rated at or below Grade V.