China will do more to protect the country's deteriorating
environment and contribute to the sustainable development of itself
and the world, said Vice Premier Zeng
Peiyan on Sunday at the closing of the annual meeting of the
China Council for International Cooperation on the Environment and
Development (CCICED).
Zeng outlined four major tasks in combating environmental
degradation: adjusting economic structures, curbing pollution in
rivers and lakes, shutting down heavily polluting enterprises and
enhancing international cooperation. The country will strengthen
its legal framework, rely on scientific advancement and strongly
promote a recycling economy, he pledged.
Established as a government advisory body 13 years ago, the
CCICED consists of 50 senior government officials and experts from
around the world and representatives of international
organizations, including the United
Nations Environment Program. European Commission
Director-General for Environment Catherine Day was among those
attending this year's meeting.
During the three-day meeting, members focused on sustainable
agricultural and rural development in discussions and drafted their
report to the government.
The council stated that it supports the policy of seeking a new,
scientific and sustainable approach to development by putting
people first, and recommended that China give close attention to
the quality and efficiency of its economic growth.
The report contains six general recommendations, including
implementing a broader vision linking ecological and food security;
developing new ecologically and economically based national
strategies to integrate water management and water quality; and
modernizing the management of protected lands.
The vice premier said China will expand cooperation with the
international community on environmental protection by adopting
advanced technologies and management methods. It will continue to
participate in international affairs on the environment and
seriously implement the international conventions to which it has
acceded.
Zeng called on developed countries to take on more
responsibilities for environmental protection, increase financial
aid to developing countries and promote the dissemination of
environmentally friendly technologies and management
experience.
He also urged developed countries to further open their markets
to developing countries to ease resource and environmental
pressure.
The next annual conference will be held in November 2005 and
focus on sustainable development in the urban areas, according to
the council's secretariat.
(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2004)