The 3rd Western Returned Scholars Association International Think Tank Forum opens in Huzhou

By Huang Fang

(ECNS) -- The 3rd Western Returned Scholars Association (WRSA) International Think Tank Forum opened Saturday, with the theme Chinese Path to Modernization: Green Ecology and Sustainable Development, in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. Over 150 think tank experts, scholars, and representatives of overseas students from China, the United States, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, etc., attended the forum.

The 3rd Western Returned Scholars Association International Think Tank Forum opens in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province on June 22, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/ Li Jun)

The forum included an opening ceremony, thematic speeches, parallel forums, and site visits. Ding Zhongli, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and president of the Western Returned Scholars Association, attended the opening ceremony and delivered the keynote speech.

Ding pointed out that addressing climate change requires a rational view of fundamental issues, such as the "ceiling on carbon emissions," the establishment of a global emission reduction governance system, global relief for climate disasters, and mechanisms of carbon tariffs, carbon pricing, and carbon subsidies.

He emphasized the necessity of establishing a fair global governance system for emission reduction, particularly to allow developing and underdeveloped countries to control their emission pace, for the reason that industrialization, infrastructure development, and the improvement of people's living standards is a long-term cumulative process. When evaluating total carbon emissions, "historical" and "per capita" factors must be considered, Ding said, adding that promoting carbon reduction through economic means and market forces requires balanced or consistent institutional designs by countries worldwide.

"China has become a global leader in environmental protection," said Erik Solheim, Co-Chair of the BRI International Green Development Research Institute, president of the EU-Asia Centre, former executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme.

To practice the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," he suggested that all people embrace technological changes and continuously develop new energy technologies.

Solheim believes that the forum facilitates mutual learning and explores how China can cooperate with other countries, widely disseminating successful ecological cases to promote the development of green industries in other countries.

Three parallel forums were held on Saturday afternoon, focusing on climate change and carbon neutrality, innovative development of non-carbon energy industry, and ecological agriculture and rural revitalization. Experts and representatives from various fields at home and abroad shared their research findings and engaged in in-depth discussions.

After the forum, the participating experts and scholars conducted site visits to Yu Village of Anji County in Huzhou, where the "two mountains" theory originated. They visited the "Replacing Plastic with Bamboo" Exhibition Hall, which is a practice of the theory in rural areas.

The forum, organized by WRSA, is an important platform for strengthening connections and interactions with the world and deepening understanding and friendship with people from various countries. It has successfully held two sessions in Xi'an and Beijing.