1st Ld: Int'l eco forum opens, embracing "green growth"

A forum on ecological development opened in southwest China's Guizhou Province on Saturday.

Under the theme "Embracing New Era of Eco-civilization" , Eco Forum Global in Guiyang City, Guizhou's capital, will see more than 1,700 delegates from across the globe discuss topics ranging from sustainable development, climate change, green energy to finance, according to the forum organizer.

Three reports on sustainable energy, finance and national park management will be published during the forum.

The environment is at the highest ever place on China's agenda, said Du Qinglin, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in a speech at the opening ceremony.

The country is trying to find new growth in eco-friendly industries, create a sustainable urbanization pattern, control pollution and remedy environmental damage, Du said.

"We expects to nurture a new competitive edge and new source of national strength through green development. Going green will be China's new path to tackle the economic new normal," he said.

The event is China's latest effort to enhance awareness to protect the environment, after its growth-at-all-costs economic model powered decades of explosive growth but tainted much of the country's air, water and land.

Environment Minister Chen Jining said earlier this month that "the Chinese environment is reaching or has reached its limit due to years of sprawling development at the price of environment".

The Chinese government has promised to take "more forceful" measures in the next five years to protect the environment and promote green development. The forum will conclude on Sunday.

In May, the State Council, China's cabinet, issued a very detailed program to promote eco-friendly growth, pledging to incorporate "green path" in economic, political, social and cultural aspects.

Last week during an inspection tour to Guizhou, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed that, at this forum, China delivers its own voice on ecological development and improve exchanges with other countries on this issue.

As the global economy is still struggling to recover, a new growth engine may come from green development as demand for "green products and lifestyle" can create new jobs and new industries, said Zhang Xinsheng, president of International Union for Conservation of Nature and general secretary of the forum.

"China has seen the chance and tried to grasp it. The government has made a strong commitment to green growth. To realize this commitment, it will need investment from the private sector and input from nongovernment and international organizations," he said."A forum like this can well serve this purpose." Endit