Pollution

Concerns Over Soil Pollution

According to the latest research, 21.49 percent of monitoring stations in grain production regions of China have an excessive amount of heavy metal in their soil. Official statistics show that every year 12 million tons of grain is affected by heavy metal pollution.

Energy

A Holistic Response

Measures have already been widely adopted targeting pollutants discharged from burning fossil fuels. China recognizes that it is imperative to cut coal and oil consumption at the source. In coastal regions, measures are in place to reduce coal consumption. For instance, electricity is being increasingly used instead of coal for residential and industrial heating, paving the way for rapid expansion of renewable energy-based power generation.

Ecology

Xi, Macron Exchange Congratulatory Messages on Launch of China-France Year of the Environment

Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron exchanged congratulatory messages on November 19 to mark the official launch of the China-France Year of the Environment in order to strengthen bilateral dialogue and cooperation in areas such as eco-protection, climate change and biodiversity, so as to deal with the global environmental challenge with concerted efforts.

Wildlife Refuges

Pandas are expected to have a new and much larger home by 2020 in the country's first Giant Panda National Park. In a further step in the planning process, the administration bureau of the park was officially established in southwest China's Sichuan Province on October 29. The park—spanning the three provinces of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi—will cover an area of 27,134 square km, triple the size of the United States' Yellowstone National Park.

Other

Walk the Talk

Ning Jizhe, Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said on November 10 that China will launch a series of projects in the sectors of transport, energy, ecology and environmental protection in line with national industrial policies, with a clear investment return mechanism for private businesses.

An Equal Footing

"Ecological conservation and sustainable development are emphasized in China, and an increasing number of consumers are paying attention to the environmental impact imposed by the products and the concepts of a brand in addition to the product itself. Hence, a series of measures for sustainable development are carried out by L'Oréal China. Through this, we hope to lead a new trend of green living and contribute to building a Beautiful China," L’Oreal China’s sustainability director said.

From farmland to wonderland

Weng Zuliang, Party Secretary of Pudong New Area, divides the development of Pudong into three phases, the third of which began in 2012 and continues today. It is the innovative and transformative development phase with the setting up of China's first pilot free trade zone (FTZ), enhancing hi-tech innovation and steering development in a more environmentally friendly direction.

Building on Momentum

The Chinese premier proposed China and ASEAN should promote maritime cooperation, especially in rescue operations, environmental protection, conservation of fishing resources and coast guard policing. His proposal gained positive response from ASEAN leaders. They agreed to push for the completion of talks on the COC and expand maritime cooperation with China so as to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea.