ĦĦĦĦBEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Following is the full text of theaddress to
the Second Global Environmental Facility (GDF) Assembly,which opened in Beijing
Wednesday, by Chinese President Jiang Zemin:
ĦĦĦĦ Let Us Take Actions To
Create A Beautiful Homeland
ĦĦĦĦAddress to the Second Assembly of the Global Environment
ĦĦĦĦJiang Zemin
ĦĦĦĦPresident of the People's Republic of China
ĦĦĦĦ16 October 2002
ĦĦĦĦLadies and Gentlemen,
ĦĦOn the occasion of the grand opening in Beijing of the Second Assembly of
the Global Environment Facility (GEF), I would like toextend, on behalf of the
Government and people of China and also in my own name, our warmest
congratulations to this gathering and our sincere welcome to all the
distinguished guests present.
ĦĦĦĦProtecting global environment, achieving sustainable development and
building a beautiful homeland for all is not only a shared aspiration of the
world's people but also a pressing taskfacing all the countries.
ĦĦĦĦAs a child of Mother Nature, mankind has acquired an extraordinary power to
create through understanding and exploitingnature, and also a power of reason
whereby to appreciate the need of protecting and treasuring nature. While
creating a brilliant civilization through the millennium, mankind has also left
behind serious problems of environmental pollution and ecological degradation.
Taking the road of sustainable development and promoting harmony between man and
nature, this is the profound conclusion drawn from past historical lessons and a
correct choicefor mankind's future development.
ĦĦĦĦA sustainable development requires that we bring about
harmony among economic growth, environmental protection and all-round social
progress. To develop the economy and eradicate poverty is the basic prerequisite
for ensuring sustainable development. A sustainable development of the economy
forms the material basis for environmental protection and all-round social
progress. Without a proper solution to the issue of subsistence, there can be no
development to speak of, let alone sustainable development. To achieve
sustainable development, it is essential for the developing countries to focus
on economic development and poverty elimination. If the poverty issue of the developing countries is not properly addressed, the developed countries
would find it difficult to sustain their own development.
ĦĦĦĦTo use the resources rationally and protect the environment effectively are
the inevitable requirements for sustainable development. Development at the
expense of squandering resources and undermining the environment cannot last
long. Natural resources are not inexhaustible, yet the demand of human
development is ever growing. If the relationship between the two is not
addressed properly, it will inevitably lead to a deterioration of the ecosystem
and pose serious threat to the survival and development of mankind. A recycling
economy, which isbased on the most efficient use of the resources and the most
effective protection of the environment, is the only way to achieve sustainable
development.
ĦĦĦĦTo achieve all-round social progress and improve the quality ofpeople's
life are the ultimate goals of sustainable development. When the material and
cultural needs of the people are constantly ignored, development cannot continue
or sustain. While promoting economic development, efforts should be made to
provide all citizens with equal access to development opportunities and
conditions for sharing equitably the fruits of development so as to bring into
fuller play their initiative and enthusiasm for economic development and
environmental protection.
ĦĦĦĦIt is incumbent upon us all to conform to the trend of the times, cultivate
an international political and economic environment favourable to sustainable
development and advance the sustainable development cause with redoubled
efforts. On this, I would like to make a few observations.
ĦĦĦĦ
ĦĦĦĦFirst, since there is only one earth for us to share, ensuring its
sustainable development is the common responsibility of all countries. The
principle of common but differentiated responsibilities for the developed and
developing countries must be upheld. When apportioning the responsibilities for
sustainable development, it is necessary to take full account of the uneven
development of all countries, and abide by the principles of fairness,
impartiality and rationality. The developed countries should take the lead in
changing the ways of production and consumption that are inconsistent with
sustainable development, take a more active part in addressing the global
environmental issues and help the developing countries with concrete deeds.
Meanwhile, the developing countries should also work hard and promote their
development in their own countries along the requirement of sustainable
development.
ĦĦĦĦSecond, the global actions of sustainable development should give full
respect for the sovereignty of countries and their independence in choosing
their own path of development. The ability of each country to independently
choose its own social system and development model in light of its national
conditions and to retain control of its development process is the vital
guarantee to effective protection of the country's environment andrealization of
its sustainable development. All countries should take positive steps, in
keeping with their actual conditions, to rationally exploit and utilize natural
resources, protect the ecosystem and promote a harmonious development of
economic growth and environmental protection. While promoting economic
developmenton their own soil, countries should also be watchful against possible
harm done to the environment of other countries.
ĦĦĦĦThird, the environment issue bears on the common interests of mankind.
International environmental norms should be formulated through the equal
participation of all countries and reflect theirwills and interests. In doing
so, the difficulties of the developing countries should be taken into full
consideration and their actual needs respected in an effort to establish a
sincere partnership with them.
ĦĦĦĦFourth, since the developing countries are faced with dual tasksof poverty
eradication and environmental protection, it will be very hard for them to
achieve sustainable development without a sound and supportive international
economic environment. To them, a deteriorating environment is the result of
poverty. Continuous efforts should therefore be made to combine poverty
elimination with environmental protection. While giving continued attention
tothe global issues bearing on mankind's survival and development, it is
necessary to help the developing countries with their own problems that have a
restraining effect on their development. Reforms should be introduced to the
international finance, investment and trade regimes. More transfers of funds and
technology should be made to the developing countries to ensure their rights to
equal development in the age of economic globalization and promote capacity
building in these countries.
ĦĦĦĦOver the years, GEF has made unremitting efforts in and remarkable
contributions to the global cause of environmental protection. China values the
positive role played by GEF in the country's environmental protection and is
ready to deepen its cooperation with GEF.
ĦĦĦĦ
ĦĦĦĦLadies and Gentlemen,
ĦĦĦĦThe Chinese Government attaches great importance to environmental
protection and unswervingly commits itself to the strategy of sustainable
development. We have made a series of environmental laws, regulations, policies
and measures, carried out fruitful programs on environmental protection and
ecological improvement and pushed forward in an all-round way the harmonious
development of the economy, population, resources and the environment. In recent
years, China has stepped up its investment in environmental endeavors. From 1998
to 2002, China's investmentin these areas totaled 580 billion RMB yuan. While
earnestly implementing the various environmental conventions it has signed,
China has recently approved the Kyoto Protocol. China's successfulperformance in
the field of the environment and development has not only led to a higher
environmental quality in China, but also made an important contribution to the
global efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable development
throughout theworld.
ĦĦĦĦI am convinced that as long as people in all countries work together, a
world of lasting peace, universal prosperity and sustainable development will
surely become a reality. Let us go into actions, cooperate in good faith and
create a better future for the world.
ĦĦĦĦMay I conclude by wishing the Assembly a complete success!
ĦĦĦĦThank you. Enditem
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