Erik Solheim, chairman of the Europe-Asia Center and a former U.N. under-secretary-general, shared his feelings and experience when playing the starring role in a China Global Television Network (CGTN) documentary.
From field investigations to global conference halls, from environmental advocacy to front line media briefings, Solheim has long been a driving force in the international push for sustainable development.
But the tables turned during the filming of the CGTN's program "China Quest: A Journey Through Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains," which premiered on Aug 3. This time, Solheim wasn't the one being interviewed. Instead, he took the role as the interviewer, traveling deep into China to explore the personal stories fueling the country's green transformation.
Speaking of the valuable experience, Solheim said it's very fun with the change, which gives him the opportunity to learn a lot.
Solheim joked that he can claim to be one of the foremost experts in bamboo in Europe thanks to the knowledge he learned during the journey. He also said he was moved by the story of a villager in Anji County of east China's Zhejiang Province, who improved his life by running homestay business, conquering all difficulties.
Solheim also said the most impressive aspects of China's green transformation is the vivid practice of Chinese President Xi Jinping's theory that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", through which the ecology and economy become one and the same.
Former UN official on role reversal journey through rural China for CGTN documentary
