China does not have a national law exclusively for wetland protection, which leads to the abuse of the wetlands as violators and polluters are not punished by the local governments or authorities. Since 1978 a total area of "8,152 square kilometers " have been destroyed.  As the article states, wetlands are considered some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems and act as the home to a wide variety of plants and animal life, the article give the example of  like migratory birds. The preservation of wetlands are not only vital in preserving the ecosystems they support but they are also responsible flood control and shoreline stability and play an important role in water purification. Often small villages and communities along the rivers and wetlands rely directly on the water purified from these wetlands for their source of water. Without proper action and protect abuse of the wetland will continue to occur and the water source for many will continue to be polluted. 


http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-05/14/content_15281008.htm