UN officer praises China's environmental protection efforts

Tu Ruihe, head of the UNEP China Office, talks about China's relationship with the program and its efforts in environmental protection. [Photo/ddcpc website]

The head of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) China Office, Tu Ruihe, praised the country's environmental protection efforts when he spoke at a key event on July 12.

He made his remarks at a sub-forum on theoretical innovation and practical exploration of the Chinese environmental concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets". The event was part of the 2021 Eco Forum Global – held in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province – on July 12-13.

Tu said that since its founding, UNEP had maintained a strong and close relationship with China, with both sides achieving various positive joint results at different times.

UNEP was established in Kenya's capital Nairobi in 1973 and China set up an office in the city that same year, to establish official relations with the program.

Over the years, UNEP has supported and helped China to introduce advanced international environmental protection concepts, heighten environmental awareness and to improve its environmental protection-related education and capabilities. It has also helped China learn from its internal environmental protection experience.

In 2008, UNEP's China office was established in Beijing to further that cooperation. Meanwhile, UNEP shared China's successful environmental protection experience with the world from 2002 to 2012.

In 2012, China launched its ecological civilization strategy "beautiful China" to improve the environment. It is understood that UNEP continues to share advanced international environmental protection concepts with China – and supports China playing a larger role in promoting global environmental governance.

Tu said that UNEP looked forward to China decreasing its pollution, reducing carbon levels and repairing the environment.

He said it would share China's experience in improving the quality of its environment and promoting green development with developing countries.