China has played an exemplary role in addressing the pressing issue of climate adaptation by actively implementing large-scale solutions and encouraging its youth to participate, according to Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Netherlands-based international organization Global Center on Adaptation (GCA).
In a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Verkooijen commended China's determination in responding to the intensification of natural phenomena brought on by climate change, pointing to a 2023 flood in a suburb of Beijing as a prime example.
"There were mega floods in the region and lots of economic damages in particular. That mega flood was turbocharged by climate change. This morning, I had the opportunity to see what the post-disaster response is. Not only how the government respond to the economic impact and destruction, but also how the people from the districts themselves are rolling up their sleeves. Actually, it was quite an inspiring visit to see how disaster is being transformed into opportunity, and that's exactly where the climate adaptation agenda comes in," he said.
He also emphasizes the scale and speed of China's endeavors in advancing climate adaptation over the recent years, particularly in urban planning.
"So China has this dual strategy -- lowering the carbon footprint, of course, all of us know what the targets are, peaking before 2030 and carbon neutral by 2060, and China is on track. At the same time, on the adaptation agenda, it's the sponge city, the iconic initiative, at a scale which is unseen across the globe, led by President Xi Jinping. It's now almost ten years old. What we saw this morning, we could see the fruits of that early implementation plan for adaptation. And secondly, which is as important, not just the scale, it's also the speed, the speed of implementation. We cannot do this in a piecemeal approach. Why? Because the climate emergency is not waiting for us. I think China's response, in the senses of scale and speed, is exactly what we need," said the CEO.
On Friday, the GCA hosted the annual Youth Climate Adaptation Action Day at Tsinghua University, a global event focused on empowering youth from around the world to tackle climate change. Speaking to CGTN, Verkooijen emphasized the potential of young people to innovate solutions for climate adaptation.
"So during the Tsinghua event, we go around the globe where leadership will come from the bottom up. Youth representatives will come forward and say, 'Well, listen, this is my problem set in my specific context. This is what I plan to do.' Whether it's mangrove restoration, whether it's waste management, whether it's irrigation in agriculture, there are all sorts of breakthroughs which young entrepreneurs are already working on. So over 24 hours, we will go around the world in close to 70 countries. But China is leading the way. So the Chinese youth representation will put on the table their ideas, their solutions, their needs for international collaboration. It's very exciting and very important. We need the boldness of the youth constituency to step up. They need to be loud. They need to speak to the decision-makers of today, basically indicating: wake up, accelerate, speed up, and be as bold as the problem is," he said.
China leads in climate adaptation: Global Center on Adaptation CEO
John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Tuesday welcomed the white paper "Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems" released by the State Council Information Office.
Lee said in a statement that he will fully support and implement the content and requirements of the white paper.
The white paper detailed how the fight for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong is an unrelenting one. Lee said that since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the manipulation of anti-China agitators in Hong Kong and hostile external forces had long stalled legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, creating destabilizing opportunities.
Today, while Hong Kong is making every effort to boost the economy, pursue development, undertake construction and improve people's livelihood, it must be remembered that national security risks still exist among us and can arise all of a sudden, he added.
The white paper stated that the central government has the fundamental responsibility for national security matters concerning Hong Kong. Lee expressed support and gratefulness for the central government's decisive act at a critical moment in Hong Kong, formulating the national security law in Hong Kong at the state level for the HKSAR's promulgation and implementation locally.
The national security law in Hong Kong ended the state of defenselessness regarding national security that had persisted for over two decades since Hong Kong's return, and ended the "black-clad violence" prevailing in Hong Kong at the time, Lee said, adding that the HKSAR government has been combating acts and activities endangering national security with full force and in accordance with the law, and as a result, order returned to the community.
The white paper illustrated the HKSAR's achievements in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility for safeguarding national security. Lee said that the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance function as an integral whole to build a solid shield for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, effectively protecting the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law and providing a solid foundation for Hong Kong's security and development.
The white paper stated that Hong Kong is progressing from disorder to stability and prosperity. Lee said that under the auspices of the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong society is stable and prosperous, the normal lives and development of the people of Hong Kong are firmly guaranteed, and international rating agencies continue to give Hong Kong positive assessments.
The white paper laid down the practical requirements of creating high-standard security for the high-quality development of the "one country, two systems." Lee said that Hong Kong must work under the guidance of a holistic approach to national security, firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, safeguarding of national security throughout the entire process of the implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.
Lee said that security is the prerequisite for development, and development is the guarantee of security. The HKSAR government will steadfastly safeguard national security and promote economic development and is committed to advancing the high-quality development of the cause of "one country, two systems" under the auspices of high-level security, and to achieving high-level security through high-quality development.
HKSAR chief executive welcomes white paper on Hong Kong's efforts in safeguarding national security
