Participants of the National Ecology Day main event lauded China's transformative changes in green development since the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" was implemented two decades ago.
The concept was first put forward by President Xi Jinping, then secretary of Communist Party of China (CPC) Zhejiang Provincial Committee, when he visited Yucun Village in Anji County in east China on Aug 15, 2005.
Since then, it has opened a new chapter in China's ecological conservation and green development.
China is now one of the fastest countries in the world to reduce energy intensity. It has become the largest exporter and investor in clean energy, signing project agreements with 42 countries to tackle climate change globally.
These achievements were highlighted at an event for National Ecology Day held in Beijing on Friday.
Participants shared their insights on this key concept driving China's pursuit of an ecological civilization, and praised President Xi Jinping's speech 20 years ago as a pivotal moment.
"The big takeaway from this morning is that the speech which Party Secretary Xi Jinping made in Anji exactly 20 years ago, that was a watershed moment. It's changed history, changed China. It's one of those speeches which changes the world. Why? Because it set out the idea that green is gold. China can go prosperous. And it can go green all the same. That is exactly what the world need. China is a beautiful place. But China will be even more beautiful when people can enjoy clean water, clean air and clean soil. And they can do it based on the most fascinating technology," said Erik Solheim, former UN Under-Secretary-General.
"This meeting was clearly a very important moment, a landmark moment. It's 20 years since Xi Jinping really outlined his 'Two Mountains Theory'. And at the heart of it, green is gold. And we know that this is not just important concept, but what we heard was the progress that has been made over the last 20 years, because what we're trying to do is balancing both economic development, but also with ensuring that we're not damaging our natural environment. By providing and ensuring in that natural environment there is space that is clean, then we know that wildlife can recover. And I think China has played a very very important role within that," said Tanya Steele, CEO of the World Wide Fund for Nature UK office.
Guests laud China's strides in green development at National Ecology Day main event
Guests laud China's strides in green development at National Ecology Day main event
