Abstract: The protection and development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt is a major national territorial strategy in China, of which the protection and restoration of the eco-environment along the Yangtze River is one of the most important parts. Since the strategy of ‘to step up conservation of the Yangtze River and stop its over development’ has been put forward by the central government, various central ministries and local authorities has actively initiated eco-environment protection projects and green transformation development policies. After years of the efforts, eco-environmental protection in the Yangtze River Economic Belt has reached a milestone, which calls for a timely re-examination. This study systematically sorted out and investigated and analyzed the governance effects and green development trend of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. It also identified the main problems and put forward policy implications. These results are expected to provide reference for further implementation of Yangtze River Protection Strategy and the practices of the Yangtze River environment protection and ecological restoration.