Nation makes strides in climate governance

China's contributions to global environmental and climate governance continue to grow, with its role evolving from participant to leader, according to officials and experts.

They made the remarks on Monday at a seminar on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization in Xiamen, Fujian province, an important cradle and a pioneering site for the philosophy.

The event attracted leaders from provincial regions and national ministries, as well as researchers, academics and business representatives. China's global governance initiatives and efforts to help build a clean, beautiful and sustainable world were key topics of discussion.

Sun Jinlong, Party chief of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said public satisfaction with China's ecological environment has exceeded 90 percent for four consecutive years, reflecting effective environmental protection alongside rapid economic and social development.

Compared with a decade ago, the average concentration of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, in key cities nationwide has fallen by 56 percent, while heavily polluted days have dropped by 92 percent — the fastest air quality improvement pace globally, he said.

Green and low-carbon industries have become a new engine for economic growth, with China leading the world in production and sales of new energy vehicles for ten consecutive years, Sun said.

Forest coverage has risen to more than 25 percent, accounting for a quarter of the world's new green area, he added, calling for continued efforts to build a shared community for Earth.

Sui Xiaofei, vice-president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, said China has signed 55 memorandums of understanding on South-South cooperation addressing climate change with 43 developing nations and has trained professionals from more than 120 countries.

"China is actively guiding the transformation of the international order, advocating for a fair, balanced and pragmatic mechanism for allocating emission-reduction responsibilities, and opposing green trade barriers," Sui said.

The approach seeks to help developing countries shift from "passive recipients" to "active participants" in rule-making, promoting a fair, reasonable, cooperative and win-win global climate governance system, he said.

Lin Zhanxi, a professor at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University and inventor of Juncao technology, said the low-cost, adaptable innovation has been introduced in 109 countries, benefiting people particularly in less developed regions.

Juncao, a hybrid grass, is used for growing edible and medicinal mushrooms, livestock feed and ecological restoration, helping address poverty, food security and sustainable development.

The university has held more than 400 Juncao training sessions for 16,000 overseas trainees, and established several demonstration bases abroad, including in Fiji, Lin said.

Some foreign dignitaries have highlighted its symbolic value, calling it "friendship grass". King Tupou VI of Tonga planted the grass during a visit to Fujian last month, according to Lin.

China sees the promotion of Juncao technology overseas as an effective part of building a community with a shared future for humanity, Lin said, adding, "Many foreign villagers involved in the project have increased their incomes."

Contact the writers at zhangyi1@chinadaily.com.cn