The 11th Shanghai International Nature Conservation Festival kicked off in Shanghai on Saturday, demonstrating the city's experience in empowering ecological protection and building a green future with technological innovation.

With a focus on technology and the harmony between man and nature, the festival, which runs through Oct 24, features a wide variety of science popularization activities to engage the mass public in biodiversity protection and building a livable city.

Routes specially designed for city walks and ecological research, as well as interactive events using artificial intelligence, were unveiled at the opening ceremony, aiming to bring citizens one step closer to the city's achievements in nature conservation.

The festival, China's first large-scale public science education event focusing on nature conservation, has drawn active participation from leading global experts and diverse sectors of society since its launch in 2015. It has evolved into a vital platform for showcasing urban green development, enhancing public scientific literacy, and fostering international dialogue on ecological civilization, said Luo Dajin, director of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, said at the opening ceremony.

"The harmonious coexistence between man and nature is both a defining challenge for Shanghai as a megacity and a critical global issue. With an open mindset, Shanghai will continue to share experiences in building a harmonious megacity. Together, we will forge a brighter future of green and low-carbon development," said Luo.

Richard Kindong, a researcher in fisheries resources and professor at Shanghai Ocean University, has been living in Shanghai for about 10 years. Over the past decade, he has observed constant evolution and changes in the city's ecological protection efforts.

"The ocean is very important to me and my research. I appreciate that the Shanghai government has put in a lot of resources and efforts to protect the ecosystem and environment. Shanghai is one of the few cities where you can see the blend between nature and the people. Between the skyscrapers everywhere, we can also see lakes and rivers," said Kindong.