The lake water is getting cleaner and cleaner, it makes me happy to see it! "Said Zou Mengqing, a resident of Qinhuai District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, strolling along the greenway by the lake, feeling the transformation of Crescent Lake. Since 2016, the local area has implemented comprehensive water environment improvement, and Crescent Lake has gradually transformed from a "black and odorous lake" into a beautiful "underwater forest", and now it has also become a bird paradise. A good ecological environment is the most equitable public good and the most universal welfare for people's livelihoods. ”The changes in rivers and lakes around the people reflect the continuous improvement of water ecological environment quality since the new era. Data shows that in 2024, the proportion of surface water quality excellent (Class I-III) sections in China will be 90.4%, exceeding 90% for the first time. The main stream of the Yangtze River has maintained Class II water quality for five consecutive years, and the main stream of the Yellow River has maintained Class II water quality for three consecutive years. The Wanli Yangtze River and the Jiuqu Yellow River have regained new vitality. Although the national water environment quality continues to improve, the problem of imbalance and lack of coordination still exists. It is difficult to fundamentally eliminate black and odorous water bodies, and the coordinated management of water resources, water environment, and water ecology is still in its infancy. Not long ago, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and other departments issued the "Action Plan for the Protection and Construction of Beautiful Rivers and Lakes (2025-2027)". This is the second comprehensive deployment of water ecological environment protection in China, following the "Ten Measures for Water". It is timely to identify shortcomings and deficiencies in benchmarking targets, and promote the protection and construction of beautiful rivers and lakes according to local conditions. Beautiful rivers and lakes are water ecosystems that achieve a virtuous cycle of water resources, water environment, and water ecology. It is necessary to adhere to a systematic concept and coordinate the integrated protection and systematic governance of mountains, waters, forests, fields, lakes, grasses, and sands. For example, Xiamen, Fujian Province has been tirelessly promoting the comprehensive management of Dongdang Lake, coordinating the ecological protection and restoration of "sea areas, river basins, and the whole area", and transforming the "stinky water lake" into an "urban living room". Only by enhancing systematic thinking, focusing on prominent issues, implementing scientific policies, and continuously improving the health level of river and lake ecosystems can we build beautiful rivers and lakes with their own beauty. Rivers and lakes are often cross regional, and collaborative governance can enhance governance efficiency. Shenzhen and Dongguan in Guangdong Province have established a comprehensive pollution control coordination mechanism for the Maozhou River basin in Shenzhen and Dongguan to address the challenges of cross regional river management. The water quality of Maozhou River has been upgraded from severe black and odorous to Class III. Zhejiang and Anhui provinces have continuously implemented four rounds of ecological compensation mechanism pilot projects in the Xin'an River Basin, vigorously reducing the pollution load into the lake, and the overall water quality of Qiandao Lake remains at Class I. By relying on landmark campaigns such as water source protection and treatment of black and odorous water bodies, we can promote the construction of an integrated ecological environment governance system that connects upstream and downstream in important river basins, in order to more efficiently safeguard the clear waters of a region. Carrying out the construction of beautiful rivers and lakes is also a process of coordinating high-level protection and high-quality development. Relying on the resource advantages and industrial foundation of the Qingyi River Basin, Anhui Xuancheng has built 18 ecological scenic spots, cultivated and developed 1072 various homestays, and created an ecological picture of human water symbiosis. Practice has shown that exploring the path of realizing the value of innovative ecological products and opening up the transformation channel from green mountains and clear waters to golden mountains and silver mountains can promote the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. In response to the public's yearning for beautiful rivers and lakes, focusing on people's real experiences and feelings, cultivating the cultural atmosphere and vitality of rivers and lakes, and jointly building and sharing the social atmosphere of beautiful rivers and lakes will surely become stronger. The beautiful scenery of rivers witnesses the changes in development. Building beautiful rivers and lakes for a long time, doing a good job in ecological benefits for the people, benefiting the people, and serving the people, will surely achieve a new vision of green and high-quality development. (New Society)