The Ministry of Ecology and Environment recently announced its third listing of beautiful rivers and lakes. A total of 39 beautiful rivers and lakes in the country were shortlisted. Among them, Liuyang River is the only one in Hunan Province in this round, and is also the second river selected in Changsha City after the Guitang River.

 In 2021, China launched the establishment of beautiful rivers and lakes, one of the seven key areas of the Beautiful China Initiative, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment put forward the goals for the creation of beautiful rivers and lakes, emphasizing a vision of "rivers and water, fish and vegetation, and harmony between humanity and water." 

 In 2022 and 2023, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment selected 56 outstanding beautiful rivers and lakes in two rounds. The Dongjiang River in Chenzhou City and the Guitang River in Changsha City were included in the second round.

 The Liuyang River originates from the northern foot of Dawei Mountain in the Luoxiao Mountains. The 230-km-long river has a drainage area of more than 4,000 square kilometers. It flows through more than 40 townships, towns and neighborhoods in Liuyang City, Changsha County, Yuhua District, Furong District, Kaifu District, and other places, with the longest stretch located in Liuyang City. The annual water quality in the monitored sections of the Liuyang River has consistently met Grade II standards. Among the 108 sections of important tributaries of the Liuyang River, about 92% are of good or excellent water quality. The excellent and good water quality rate at drinking water source sites reaches 100%.

 This year, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has determined to include 2,573 water bodies under national monitoring in the establishment of beautiful rivers and lakes. It is estimated that 40 percent of the water bodies on the list will meet the requirements by 2027, presenting lucid water, green banks and various fish in a harmonious living space.