On April 8, Minister Li Ganjie met with Chairman of Paulson Institute Henry Paulson in Beijing. The two sides exchanged views on biodiversity conservation and development of carbon market.

Minister Li shared the latest developments on China’s ecological and environmental protection. The last year was a major milestone in the history of China’s ecological development and ecological and environmental protection cause, said Li. The new development philosophy, the ecological advancement, and building a beautiful China have been constitutionalized. The National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection was a success, which officially identified the Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council printed and distributed The Opinions on Comprehensively Strengthening Ecological and Environmental Protection and Putting up a Good Fight over Pollution. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment was established. In the next move, we will put the Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization into actions, protect the blue skies and clean waters from pollution, make solid progress in protecting the soil environment, enhance ecosystem conservation and restoration, work to adopt green growth style and lifestyle, and advance the modernization of the ecological and environmental governance systems and capacities.

The Chinese Government has attached great importance to the preparations for the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Vice Premier Han Zheng presided over a meeting that adopted the preparatory plan, noted Li. China will honor its role as the hosting country of the Conference and work towards the negotiations and agreement on the post-2020 global framework on biodiversity. China appreciates the support of Mr. Paulson and his institute.

Moreover, the Chinese Government highly values climate change issue and has made positive progress in this regard. In terms of carbon emission trading, China has begun the piloting in seven provinces and municipalities since 2011, and officially inaugurated the national carbon emission trading system in December 2017. In the next step, China will make steady progress in developing carbon market across the country, prioritize the institutional development of the carbon market, infrastructure development, and capacity building, and step by step, establish a carbon market that is clearly defined, strictly protected, effectively regulated, open and transparent, and that allows smooth transfers and has international impact. China appreciates what Mr. Paulson and his institute have done in tackling climate change, and hoped the two sides strengthen communications and conduct in-depth discussions on developing carbon market.

Mr. Paulson spoke highly of Chinese Government’s achievements in advancing ecological progress, and strengthening ecological and environmental protection especially air pollution control. He hoped the Chinese side continue to deepen bilateral cooperation on developing national park system and vowed to support China’s capacity as the hosting country of the COP 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.