With the rise in temperatures in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, the frozen Songhua River has begun to melt.

A large amount of rubbish has accumulated on the river near the bank, greatly impacting the environment.

That's why several sanitation workers have been sent to collect the trash with a special tool combining a hook and a mesh bag.

Every day, workers collect about 250 kilograms of garbage, including tree branches and waste left by citizens and tourists.

"The Songhua River is our mother river," said Qi Guifu, 40, a sanitation worker. "We hope everyone can love and protect it."