Abstract: With the intensification of economic development and human activities in the river basin, the Yangtze s aquatic ecosystem is facing severe degradation.In order to comprehensively and scientifically protect and restore the water ecological environment of Yangtze River, we provides a systematic review of the current status, challenges and recent advancements in aquatic ecological protection and restoration across the Yangtze River Basin.It provides an in-depth analysis of the cumulative impacts of multiple stressors on the Yangtze s aquatic ecosystem and summarizes the innovations in aquatic biomonitoring and assessment systems, particularly those represented by environmental DNA (eDNA) technologies.The paper elaborates on scientific practices and implementation outcomes in areas such as reservoir ecological regulation, fish passage facilities, and habitat restoration.Drawing on international experiences from river systems such as the Rhine, this paper explores pathways toward establishing an ecologically sound restoration framework with distinct Chinese characteristics.It emphasizes that the comprehensive recovery of Yangtze River ecosystem hinges on a long-term governance model that is science-driven, basin-wide, and multi-objective in nature-aimed at harmonizing ecological, economic, and social benefits to ensure high-quality and sustainable development across the basin.