China introduces first national happiness standard for local rivers, lakes

6月4日，航拍南门峡国家湿地公园内，河流蜿蜒曲折。夏日时节，地处青海省海东市互助土族自治县境内的南门峡国家湿地公园内，绿意盎然，蜿蜒清澈的河流从湿地中贯穿而过，呈现出如“掌纹”般的独特纹理，展示着无限生机。南门峡国家湿地公园以南门峡水库和南门峡河为主体，与水系周边林地和起伏的群山相连，以雪山、沼泽、河流、湖泊、森林等自然生态景观为主要特色，总面积1217.31平方公顷，湿地率81.57%，湿地类型包括河流湿地、人工湿地和沼泽湿地。（无人机照片）赵红莹 摄

(ECNS) -- China has introduced its first national “happiness standard” for small and medium-sized river systems, setting a benchmark to improve the quality, efficiency and sustainability of local river and lake management, state media reported.

The standard, compiled by China's Ministry of Water Resources and approved by the National Standardization Administration, is expected to take effect in May next year and guide the governance and public services of rivers with a basin area of 3,000 km² or less in China.

The new standard introduces five first-level indicators, including safety and development, and 14 secondary indicators that address specific areas such as flood control, drainage systems and "dual control of total water use and intensity." 

Its release provides a clear, applicable “happiness ruler” for local river systems, turning the abstract concept of “happiness” into measurable and practical indicators for the first time.