On June 25th, the China Forum on International Ecological Competitiveness 2021, co-hosted by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Committee on Population, Resources and Environment of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, National Forestry and Grassland Administration and Jiangxi Provincial People’s Government, opened in the city of Ganzhou of China’s Jiangxi Province. Gao Yan, Chairperson of the CCPIT and President of China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC); Huang Yuejin, Deputy Director of Committee on Population, Resources and Environment of the CPPCC National Committee; Wu Zhongqiong, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee and Secretary of CPC Ganzhou Municipal Committee; and Hu Zhangcui, Deputy Director of the National Afforestation Committee, attended the ceremony and each delivered a speech. Hu Qiang, Vice Governor of Jiangxi Provincial Government, presided over the opening ceremony. Azymbakiev Muratbek Abakirovich, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), diplomatic envoys, as well as government and business representatives from countries such as Russia, the United States, Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Congo joined the opening ceremony.
Gao Yan said that the forum is an effective practice of deeply implementing Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization and unswervingly taking the road of ecological priority and green development. It is also a positive exploration in further promoting the construction of national ecological civilization pilot zones and pushing for new achievements in ecological civilization construction. With focus on the new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other, the CCPIT and the CCOIC will continue to work together with all parties concerned to promote the transformation and upgrading of enterprises in the post-epidemic era. In addition, it is imperative to practice the green concept and make positive efforts to build a beautiful China with green mountains, clean water and fresh air.
Huang Yuejin pointed out that how to cultivate and shape the ecological competitiveness is a common issue in front of all regions and departments. He suggested actively cultivating ecological culture and ethics, strengthening the R&D and application of green and low-carbon science and technology, comprehensively enhancing the capacity of carbon sequestration, exploring ocean sequestration technology and marine geological carbon sequestration technology, increasing the amount of carbon sequestration by ecological systems like mangroves, and enhancing the overall design for the construction of ecological civilization.
Wu Zhongqiong said that in recent years, Jiangxi has implemented Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization and done a solid job in mountain and water management. As a result, not only the sky is bluer, the mountains are greener and the water is cleaner, but the development speed and quality is also improving steadily. The growth rate of the main economic indicators of the province ranks among the first in China. Ganzhou focuses on the construction of ecological civilization pilot zones, and strives to build a life community of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands and deserts, thus advancing green development to a new stage. The forum will create new opportunities for and inject new impetus into the green development of Ganzhou and Jiangxi as a whole.
Hu Zhangcui stressed that the quality and stability of China’s ecosystem have been continuously improved, and its ecological competitiveness has been further enhanced. Going forward, we will earnestly implement Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization, adopt coordinated management measures covering mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands and deserts, enhance ecosystem functions and supply capacity of ecological products, increase carbon sequestration in the ecosystem, and make greater contribution to achieving China’s goal of carbon neutrality and safeguarding global ecological security.
Azymbakiev said that SCO member states attach great importance to green development and has been actively promoting cooperation in the field of renewable and alternative energy. In recent years, significant progress has been made by SCO member states in the field of energy, with a number of projects decided on and implemented. It is hoped that all parties will further develop mutually beneficial cooperation within the SCO framework, develop innovative technologies, improve energy efficiency and promote sustainable development.
Mr. Sittikorn Chantadansuwan, Minister Counselor of the Royal Thai Embassy in China said that Thailand has always advocated cooperation with the international community in ecological industry and green economy, and obtained long-term benefits from mutual cooperation. Adhering to the common vision of sustainable development and ecological civilization, Thailand stands ready to exchange best practices with China and other countries for win-win cooperation.
Mikheev Alexei, Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in China, said Russia aims to lower its total greenhouse gas emissions below European standards in the next 30 years. The country plans to reduce emissions from oil and gas extraction, use natural gas and electricity to power public transport, develop renewable energy sector and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that have accumulated in the atmosphere.
The forum released a list of the most ecologically competitive cities in 2021. Zhuang Mudi, Party Secretary of Fengxian District, Shanghai; Ling Yun, Secretary of CPC Huangshan Municipal Committee; He Haidong, Mayor of Hohhot; Luo Wenjiang, Mayor of Ji 'an, Jiangxi Province; Wang Kailu, Vice Mayor of Tongren, Guizhou Province and Han Lixue, Vice Mayor of Dongying, Shandong Province received the honor for the most ecologically competitive cities in 2021 as representatives.
China Forum on International Ecological Competitiveness is one of the most representative national and international exchanges and cooperation platforms in the ecological field in China. It has been successfully held nine times since its launch in 2008. The forum is a carbon neutral conference, and all the greenhouse gases produced by the event will be neutralized by planting carbon neutral forests in Shangyou County, Ganzhou City, with funds donated by the China Green Carbon Foundation.