About five million fish were released into the Yangtze River in Chongqing on Wednesday, the 40th World Earth Day, to increase fish numbers in the Three Gorges Reservoir area.

At the main releasing site in the district of Wanzhou, government officials, experts in protection of aquatic animals, some fishermen and citizens took part in the releasing.

They released 500,000 common commercial fish, as well as more than 30,000 mullets which are on a wildlife protection list.

Fish were released in other areas too, totalling about five million, making it the biggest release in Chongqing in recent years.

Soundbite: Chen Lili, volunteer from Chongqing Three Gorges University "When we released those fish just now，we felt particularly moved. It's awe-inspiring."