Changsha is the capital city of Hunan in south-central China. It is located on the Xiang River which branches off the longest river in Asia, the Yangtze River. The municipality has a population of 7,044,118 within an area of 11,819 sq. kilometres.

As a major port, commercial and industrial centre, Changsha is one of China’s top 20 economically advanced cities and attracts significant foreign investment. As a consequence of a growing economy based on construction and industrial activities, however, environmental pollution in Changsha is a serious problem. Changsha is adopting measures to quell pollution, with the Deputy Minister of the State Environmental Protection, Li Ganjie, promoting a ‘zero emissions’ technology culture. This initiative includes the Xiang River in the National Development and Reform Commission.

The cities of Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan in the Hunan Province are currently in the process of integrating measures to promote environmental protection as all three cities depend on the same river for water supply and sewerage outflow. The three cities are addressing mechanisms for coordination in planning and service delivery and the creation of regional institutions for environmental management and wastewater collection and treatment.