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| Speech by Minister Xie Zhenhua on China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Meeting, Nairobi, Kenya 21 February, 2005 |
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Distinguished Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan,
Distinguished Mr. Teopfer,
Distinguished Ministers and Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening! I am very happy to have this opportunity to have dialogue and exchange views with all of you on China-Africa environmental cooperation. A moment ago, Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan, on behalf of the Chinese Government, has put forward three initiatives on China-Africa environmental cooperation. I would like to take this opportunity to give an introduction to China's performances of protecting the environment in the process of development, share with you our experiences and lessons, and put forth suggestions on measures of fulfilling the initiatives proposed by Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan.
China is the biggest developing country in the world with a huge population, comparatively low level of natural resource in per capita terms and fragile environment. China's economy grows at an average rate of 9% in the past 20 years. However, the growth depends largely upon high input, high consumption and heavy pollution. In this period, the GDP in China has quadrupled, and brought about serious pollution and ecological destruction, with the following major aspects: large amount of major pollutants emission and discharge in excess of environmental load, ignorant of natural pattern in the process of resource development, and the worsening trend of ecological destruction has not been curbed. It can be said that the environmental problems that have occurred stage by stage over 100 years in developed countries and resolved gradually have occurred altogether over the past 20 years in China in the process of rapid development. These compressed and compound issues have the character of being closely linked with economic structure, which has caused serious threats to the sustainable development of the economy and society.
The Chinese Government has always attached great importance to environmental protection. It has identified environmental protection as one of the State policies in the 1980s. It identified sustainable development as a national strategy in early 1990s. In the new century, the Chinese Government has put forward to adhere to the people-centered principle, fulfill the scientific development approach, and integrate the coordinated development of the economy, society and the environment. We have clearly stipulated that the environment should be protected in the process of development and active explorations have been conducted: first, strengthening environmental legislation. China has established a legal system composed of 9 environmental laws, over ten natural resources laws, more than 20 environmental regulations, a series of rules and standards. At the same time, it has kept strict enforcement of these environmental laws and regulations. Second, strengthening environmental management. There has been gradually a major shift in the prevention and control mode of pollution, namely the shift from end-of-pipe approach to the whole process control, especially the source control approach; shift from pollution concentration control to the concentration control combined with total amount control with the consideration of environmental capacity; shift from industrial point pollution control to concentrated regional control and integrated river basin management; and shift from extensive economic growth mode to a new type industrialization way with high content of science and technology, sound economic benefits, low consumption of resources, little environmental pollution and full exertion of advantageous human resources. In ecological protection, the Chinese Government has adhered to the policy of emphasizing both ecological conservation and the construction and conducted ecological construction engineering programs and bio-diversity conservation engineering programs such as ?turning cultivated land into forests, grasslands and lakes? and natural forests protection. The area of all natural reserves has increased to the current 14.8% of the total territory of mainland China from 5.7% in 1992. Third, the Chinese Government has promoted the diversified investment in environmental protection and preliminarily established the pollution prevention mechanism with the government playing the guiding role, the social participation, and marketized operation. The investment in pollution control has been increased significantly, accounting for 1.39% of GDP in 2004. Fourth, enhancing environmental education and the release of relevant information and encouraging public supervision and participation. With these measures, the worsening trend of the pollution has been under preliminary control in the context of rapid economic growth in China.
In the coming 15 years, China will have a population of 1.46 billion and quadruple its national economy. Only by changing the economic growth pattern will the environmental problems be effectively solved and the ecological environment be improved. Therefore, in line with the situation of the country and with the scientific approach as the guide, China will actively change the growth mode, vigorously develop circular economy, devoting great efforts to establishing a resources-conservation and environmental friendly society, abide by natural laws and promote the harmony between human and nature.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Sino-African Cooperation Forum creates a broad platform for Sino-African environmental cooperation and exchange. Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan proposes to strengthen environmental protection cooperation between China and Africa, I would like to make following specific suggestions concerning the implementation of the proposal and conduct cooperation between China and Africa.
1. Further enhance the dialogue and exchange on environmental protection between high-level Chinese officials and African officials. As the African countries, China is also faced with the huge challenge in developing economy, protecting the environment and promoting social progress. We suggest that a senior level dialogue mechanism be established between us and the African Environmental Ministers Conference, with which we can consult in time with each other on the important environmental issues that we show common concerns and improve our sustainable development ability.
2. Implement Sino-African environmental protection training program of human resource development. We suggest that one or two training coursed be conducted in Africa this year, providing support for the capacity building of environmental protection in Africa. There are successful experiences of bio-diversity conservation and desertification prevention in African countries that deserve our learning.
3. Strengthen cooperation on environmental industries. Through government cooperation, we could facilitate the exchange of environmental enterprises and strengthen the cooperation of environmental industries so as to solve environmental problems and promote economic development.
4. Enhance the consultation on major multilateral and global environmental issues. The consultation and cooperation between China and African countries will play an active role in promoting the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and international conventions. We are willing to enhance consultation and coordinate our stand with African countries in various occasions including bilateral and multilateral agreements so as to promote the solution to global environmental problems.
5. Promote extensive cooperation between China-Africa environmental cooperation and multilateral international institutions. China-African Environmental Cooperation should be an open process. We appreciate the support from UNEP, other multilateral international institutions and non-governmental organizations.
The convening of this meeting marks a new page in China-African Environmental Cooperation. It also adds new field to China-African Cooperation Forum. I sincerely hope that China-African Environmental Cooperation could benefit both parties and make contribution to the overall cooperation relation between China and Africa.
Thank you! |
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