China's green push underway

Guiyang, the capital of southwest China's Guizhou province is set to host a forum, focusing on the environment and a greener future. The forum, which lasts from July 19th to 21st, will focus on building the concept of an ecological civilization in China, with goals to develop into an internationally influential forum. But why is such an important forum being held in Guiyang, one of China's lesser known cities deep in the interior.

Guiyang, home to 4.5 million people, started its eco-development push back in 2007, covering politics, the economy and people's daily lives.

Xiang Hongxiang, Director, Eco-Civilization Committee, Guiyang, said, "We have a clear eco-development plan. The environment should be protected. Industrial restructuring should be carried out to promote eco-industry development. The concept of eco-development should be rooted in people's minds. And the government should be efficient."

An eco-conference was held in Guiyang annually from 2009 to 2012, which has laid a good foundation for this year's eco-forum. Also in 2012, Guiyang began steps to develop into an ecological civilization.

Guiyang's forestry coverage rate has reached 43.2%. The air is clean and in the summer, average temperatures stay near 24 degrees Celsius.

Xiang Hongxiang, Director, Eco-Civilization Committee, Guiyang, said, "In Guiyang, the eco-environment is good and the climate is cool in summer, mostly because the forest functions as an air-conditioner. It converts waste gas into oxygen, and helps a lot to purify the air. "

To better protect water sources, several wetland parks have also been constructed in Guiyang in recent years. China's eco-development can be traced back to the city.