More than 200,000 fish fry were released November 24 in the famed Lijiang River in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the water route traveled by US President Bill Clinton during his visit to China last year.

Thousands of tourists and local residents witnessed the release on November 24 morning. It was the third time for the activity, which has sent a total 500,000 fish fry to the water.

The renowned scenic city hosts tens of millions of tourists from home and abroad every year. Pollution, however, has become more serious with the development of tourism. In addition, illegal fishing has threatened the fish resources in Lijiang.

The city government has made resolute measures to treat the river contamination. Efforts in recent years have helped purify the river, which has again become an ideal natural habitat for a variety of fish.

Hal Sumrall, a tourist from Orlando in the US state of Florida, said that people in his hometown also release fish into rivers to sustain the fish resources.

"This will be an effective way of sustaining Lijiang's beautiful ecological environment. This is my third trip to the city, and each time I have seen a great improvement in the city's environment," he said. (Xinhua)