Northeast China's wetlands are shrinking due to climate change and human activities like agriculture and urbanization. The Sanjiang Plain and Songnen Plain have lost wetland functions over the past 60 years. Agriculture has been the main cause of wetland loss in the Sanjiang Plain, while water shortage has harmed wetlands in the Songnen Plain. To protect wetlands, regulations, long-term plans, and technology support are needed. A wetland compensation program and adaptive capacity technologies should be developed. Finding a balance between agriculture and wetland protection is crucial.