BEIJING — The China Development Bank (CDB), one of the country's policy banks, has provided 832.3 billion yuan (about $126.88 billion) of loans since 2019 for the protection and green development of the Yangtze River.

The CDB will continue to support the construction of the Yangtze River Economic Belt with ecological conservation and green development as a priority so that the region can achieve sustainable development, the lender said.

The Yangtze River Economic Belt covers nine provinces and two municipalities, accounting for more than 40 percent of China's population and economic aggregate.

Founded in 1994, the CDB was designed to provide finance to major national projects and development strategies.