On 24th October 2021, Chinese Ambassador H.E. Mr. Wang Xuefeng contributed an article titled China Puts 1.5 Billion Yuan into Biodiversity Fund to local newspaper the Patriot. The full text is as follows:
China Puts 1.5 Billion Yuan into Biodiversity Fund
Botswana is renowned for its amazing flora and fauna. The Okavango Delta is home to some of the world's most endangered species of large mammal, such as the cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion. There is enormous potential in China-Botswana partnership on biodiversity and beyond. The upcoming FOCAC Dakar meeting also provides a good opportunity to deepen cooperation in this regard. China looks forward to working with Botswana on such areas as climate change, sustainable development, and green transformation to build a better tomorrow.
On the other hand, China is home to some of the greatest biodiversity on Earth, so we have a keen understanding of its importance. In the last 10 years, China has added more forests than any other country on Earth. More than 90% of terrestrial ecosystem types, together with 85% of key wild animal populations, are now protected in China. Desertification used to claim 10,400 square kilometres of land per year; now that process has been reversed, and we are reclaiming 2,424 square kilometres per year. The Belt and Road initiative and South-South cooperation are helping developing countries respond to challenges like the loss of biodiversity and climate change.
A UN report on biodiversity warns that 1 million species of plants and animals are at risk of extinction. The loss of biodiversity and the degradation of the ecosystem pose a major risk to human survival and development. Against the backdrop of continuous spreading of COVID-19, how to achieve green recovery and sustainable development is a major question for all.
On 12th October, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended via video link the Leaders' Summit of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) held in Kunming in Southwest China. President Xi elaborated with great vision the question of the times on what kind of a shared future for all life on Earth humanity should build. He proposed to build a planet featuring the harmonious coexistence of man and Nature, coordinated advancement of economy and environment and common development of all countries, setting an ambitious goal for global biodiversity protection.
President Xi announced China's initiative to establish a Kunming Biodiversity Fund and take the lead by investing 1.5 billion RMB yuan (about 235 million USD) to support biodiversity protection in developing countries. China will provide assistance within its ability to other developing countries and strengthen exchanges and cooperation with them on biodiversity. President Xi also put in place a protected areas system with national parks as the mainstay and a "1+N" policy framework for carbon peak and carbon neutrality, so as to protect biodiversity, tackle climate change and protect the planet we call home.
As the COP15 presidency, China is a staunch advocate of multilateralism and has always been an active participant and facilitator of the multilateral process of biodiversity. Here is the blueprint and road map that President Xi set out for the world's high-quality development with four proposals.
First, we shall take the development of ecological civilization as our guide to coordinate the relationship between man and Nature. We need to solve the problems brought about by industrial civilization, keep human activities within the limits of the ecology and environment, and carry out holistic conservation and systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts.
Second, we shall let green transition drive our efforts to facilitate global sustainable development. We need to build a green, low-carbon and circular economic system, translate ecological strengths into development strengths, and bring out the great benefit that green mountains and clear waters can offer. We also need to step up green international cooperation and share the fruits of green development among all countries.
Third, we shall concentrate on bettering people's well-being to promote social equity and justice. We need to keep in mind the people's aspiration for a better life, pursue win-win results in environmental protection, economic development, job creation, poverty alleviation and other endeavors, and increase the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security of people in all countries.
Fourth, we shall take international law as the basis to uphold a fair and equitable international governance system. We need to practice true multilateralism, and effectively honor and implement international rules, which are not to be exploited or discarded at one's own will. The new environmental protection targets we set need to be ambitious on the one hand and pragmatic and balanced on the other, so as to make the global environmental governance system fairer and more equitable.