China, CEE countries pledge cooperation in environmental protection

China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) are marking nearly a decade of cooperation in various fields, and they've designated 2021 as a "Year of Green Development and Environmental Protection."

China-CEEC Cooperation's Year of Green Development and Environmental Protection kicked off in Beijing, April 20. (Photo: Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment)

During the inauguration, delegates showed commitment in fighting global warming and vowed to strengthen cooperation in carbon reduction and green development.

"The earth is our exclusive and common home. The place where we live and work, grow up our children, love and be loved, project our dreams. Its quality and its health are prerequisite for our quality of life and for everything we aspired to achieve," said Selim Belortaja, ambassador of Albania to China.

At the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Xi Jinping announced that China aims to reach a carbon emissions peak by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060.

China's manufacturing sector remains a major contributor to energy consumption and emissions. And, as the world's largest manufacturer, the goal of carbon neutrality will be one of its biggest challenges in the coming years.

This is why, experts say, China is looking to increase investment overseas in renewable energy.

"The 17 CEECs each have distinctive features for green development and environmental protection. They have abundant resources for bio-fuel, bio-gas, geothermal, wind and solar energy," said Qin Gang, Chinese vice minister of Foreign Affairs.

But, like China, these countries are also facing problems with pollution. And some officials from CEECs said the common goal for better public health is what has led them to push for cooperation with China in green energy.

The 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity will be held in Kunming in October this year. Officials said China will earnestly fulfill its obligations as host country and play its role as the chair of the Convention.