China has made significant progress in wetland protection and restoration since 1992, with the formation of a comprehensive experience through national strategies, legal policies, and project implementation. The Ramsar Convention, established in 1971, emphasizes the ecological functions of wetlands, such as water conservation and purification, and calls for collaborative actions to reduce wetland loss. International organizations, including Wetlands International Union, UNESCO, UNEP, UNDP, ILEC, UNF, GEF, and GHF, have played key roles in guiding global wetland conservation efforts. The 27 International Wetlands Days (1997-2023) and 14 Conferences of the Contracting Parties (1980-2022) have provided new directions and challenges for wetland development. Future research should focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and international conventions to support sustainable wetland development. Wetland protection, restoration, and management services should be promoted for national strategic needs and local high-quality social and economic development. Research should also enhance cross-integration and academic innovation for disciplinary development, global supervision, comprehensive assessment, and smart decision-making. China's experience in wetland protection and restoration highlights the importance of national strategic deployment, legal policy establishment, and project planning. The country needs to innovate restoration and management techniques, address complex issues through multi-department collaboration, and ensure the long-term protection of wetlands. The global conservation of wetlands faces severe challenges due to climate change, increasing human activities, and weak social awareness. Strengthening wetland conservation and restoration is urgently required to ensure ecological security.China has made significant progress in wetland protection and restoration since 1992, with the formation of a comprehensive experience through national strategies, legal policies, and project implementation. The Ramsar Convention, established in 1971, emphasizes the ecological functions of wetlands, such as water conservation and purification, and calls for collaborative actions to reduce wetland loss. International organizations, including Wetlands International Union, UNESCO, UNEP, UNDP, ILEC, UNF, GEF, and GHF, have played key roles in guiding global wetland conservation efforts. The 27 International Wetlands Days (1997-2023) and 14 Conferences of the Contracting Parties (1980-2022) have provided new directions and challenges for wetland development. Future research should focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and international conventions to support sustainable wetland development. Wetland protection, restoration, and management services should be promoted for national strategic needs and local high-quality social and economic development. Research should also enhance cross-integration and academic innovation for disciplinary development, global supervision, comprehensive assessment, and smart decision-making. China's experience in wetland protection and restoration highlights the importance of national strategic deployment, legal policy establishment, and project planning. The country needs to innovate restoration and management techniques, address complex issues through multi-department collaboration, and ensure the long-term protection of wetlands. The global conservation of wetlands faces severe challenges due to climate change, increasing human activities, and weak social awareness. Strengthening wetland conservation and restoration is urgently required to ensure ecological security.