Interview: China's promotion of ecological civilization a reference to other countries, says expert

MOSCOW, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's continuous promotion of ecological civilization has scored great achievements and attracted worldwide attention, a Russian ecological expert has said.

Oleg Deripaska, Russian chairman of the Ecological Council of the China-Russia Friendship, Peace and Development Committee, said in a recent interview with Xinhua that China has gradually become a global leader in the development of renewable energy, which has provided valuable reference for the green development of countries around the world.

"China's concept of ecological civilization is undoubtedly of great significance today and is more relevant than ever before," Deripaska said, adding that the concept reflects the need to change the mode of economic growth, which will help upgrade the quality of economic development, form new markets, create new jobs and attract investment.

China has actively transfered to cleaner production, upgraded green and low-carbon technologies, and advanced the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, he said.

Today, China has built the largest installed renewable energy capacity and the largest market for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, China is investing heavily in scientific and technological innovation, and research and development, leading the global development of renewable energy, Deripaska added.

"Cooperation in the field of ecology and environment constitutes an important part of the development of Russia-China relations within the framework of a community with a shared future for mankind," he said. "It is impossible to build a harmonious, peaceful and secure society without jointly building a sustainable economic development model that takes into account the interests of future generations."

In his opinion, Russia and China have great potential for cooperation in areas such as economic decarbonization and the development of green technologies. Meanwhile, the two countries enjoy broad prospects of cooperation in building green financial mechanisms and developing renewable energy.

"The achievements China has made in the field of environmental protection in recent years are worthy of reference for the world," Deripaska said, stressing that Russia should also adopt the principles of "clear objectives" and "effective science" in environmental protection, and focus on the comprehensive use of legislation, finance, technology and other means to solve its environmental problems.