The finance departments of Shanxi province have been ensuring the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin since 2019.

A total of 26.57 billion yuan ($3.65 billion) has been invested into the ecological protection of the basin.

Among the investment, 1.92 billion yuan was used to improve the efficiency of the collection and treatment of urban and rural pollution in the basin; 8.78 billion yuan was invested in strengthening the rigid constraints of water resources and optimizing water resource allocation; 11.87 billion yuan was used to improve the natural environment of the basin; 2 billion yuan was used for the improvement of the ability to prevent and cope with natural disasters in the basin; and 2 billion yuan was used for stable fiscal operation in counties along the Yellow River.

To improve the quality and stability of the ecosystem of the basin, 9.54 billion yuan has been put in major environmental protection and restoration projects on seven river basins and abandoned open-air mines in the Yellow River Basin and shelterbelt expansion in the basin. 

The province has completed over 18,673 square kilometers of afforestation in the basin and restored 1,067 sq km of land in key cities and regions. 

The water conservation infrastructure system in the basin has been improved, with 8.67 billion yuan invested in the construction of major water conservancy projects since 2019. 

In addition, to promote Yellow River culture, 31.04 billion yuan has been used to construct the Yellow River No 1, the Great Wall No 1 and the Taihang No tourist highways extending 5,766 kilometers, and 520 million yuan has been used for tourism development and brand building themed around the Yellow River, Great Wall and Taihang Mountains.