We only have one Earth. Nature is where human beings exist and develop, thus the way forward shall be green development in accordance with with nature and eco-friendly progress.

“We must protect this planet like our own eyes, and cherish nature the way we cherish life. We must preserve what gives our planet life and embrace green development.”

The remarks of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing carry huge significance.

In the first half of this year, the Chinese President attended a series of international events and diplomatic activities where he spared no efforts to promote the ecological civilization characterized by harmonious coexistence between man and nature, calling the world to work together for a green and better future for all and contribute to sustainability.

Today, China has become an important participant, contributor, and torchbearer in the global endeavor for ecological civilization.

John B. Cobb, one of the earliest scholars to bring up the concept of “green GDP” and member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, remarked that China has shed a light of hope upon global ecological civilization.

The Belt and Road is a road for open and green development, and green development is one of the most important guiding principles for the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road.

At the second Belt and Road Forum on International Cooperation (BRF), it was proposed by President Xi to launch green infrastructure projects, make green investment and provide green financing to protect the Earth which we all call home.

In this connection, China and its partners have set up the Belt and Road Sustainable Cities Alliance and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) International Green Development Coalition, formulated the Green Investment Principles for the Belt and Road Development, set up the BRI Environmental Big Data Platform and implemented the Belt and Road South-South Cooperation Initiative on Climate Change.

These concrete moves and plans indicated that building a green Belt and Road is real actions rather than empty talks.

Under China’s efforts to promote green development of the Belt and Road, wildlife-crossing structures have been built for Kenya's Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway to allow safe passage for giraffes and other wildlife; Sinai Peninsula of Egypt is analyzing China’s experiences of water-saving terraces; and Brazil has built the Belo Monte super high voltage hydroelectric plant that runs on clean energy.

On the way to construct a green Belt and Road, Chinese green technologies and plans are benefiting the people of participating countries and regions.

The International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing was held by the beautiful Guishui River and at the foot of the majestic Great Wall. At the opening ceremony of the Exhibition, President Xi delivered an important speech, noting that the world needs to advocate harmony between man and nature, pursue prosperity through green development, follow a philosophy that cares for nature, adopt a scientific approach to ecological conservation, and join hands to meet common challenges. These five proposals have chartered the course for global countries in working together to build a clean and beautiful world.

Source: People's Daily Online

Date: August 8, 2019