In recent years, Huai'an insists on starting from its system and strives to achieve lake governance and protection in a regular and long-term manner.

The city has actively cooperated with the revision of Jiangsu Hongze Lake Protection Plan, as well as the making of Special Planning of Hongze Lake Regional Agricultural Industry and Huai'an Wetland Protection Plan (2021-2035). It works on the implementation plan of key lakes governance and protection, refines the list of tasks and responsibilities, and changes the centralized governance to normalized management and care. In recent years, a total of 15.8 billion yuan has been invested in the construction of water conservancy, transportation and environmental infrastructure related to Hongze Lake, Baima Lake and Gaobao Lake. Besides, three major basin-based backbone projects for the management of Huai River have been completed, including the improvement of Huai River intake waterway, the flood regulation and comprehensive utilization between Huai River Basin and Yishusi River Basin, and the reinforcement of Hongze Lake Dike. The Hongze Lake Management Committee has been established, as well as the management agency of the provincial nature reserve in eastern Hongze Lake Wetland. Joint law enforcement offices have been set up at the city and county levels, followed by strong special rectification actions for the public safety of the waters, and the battle against illegal acts such as poaching. In addition, Huai'an makes good use of modern information technology to fully implement the dynamic monitoring mechanism of Hongze Lake water quality, so as to promote its integrated, regular and long-term comprehensive management.