Premier Li Keqiang attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the 7th World Conservation Congress via video link on Sept 3.

The concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature is embedded in traditional Chinese culture, the Premier said, noting that in recent years, the Chinese government has attached great importance to nature conservation and sustainable development. In April, President Xi Jinping proposed at the Leaders Summit on Climate to jointly build a community of life for humans and nature, the Premier added.

As a large country with 1.4 billion people, China respects nature, conforms to nature and protects nature, and upholds the concept of ecological civilization while pursuing socialist modernization, the Premier said.

Facing unprecedented challenges in global natural environment governance, the international community should act with resolve as never before to promote building a beautiful world where humanity and nature coexist in harmony, he said.

All elements of the Earth’s natural ecosystem should be considered comprehensively, the Premier said, and he called for efforts to strengthen the protection of oceans, forests, grasslands and wetlands, and to enhance the restoration of endangered wildlife conservation areas and ecological corridors to build a protection network for biodiversity.

Premier Li stressed green, low-carbon development in post-pandemic economic recovery. Solutions based on nature should be adopted, together with the promotion of green finance, green technology, circular economy and industrial transformation and upgrade.

A green lifestyle, energy conservation and emission reduction should be promoted, while the consumption concept of diligence and frugality should be encouraged to boost long-lasting sustainable development, according to the Premier.

To address climate change, he urged efforts in energy conservation, greenhouse gas emission control, and increasing carbon sinks, such as forests and oceans, to realize common development and ecological protection.

Multilateralism and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities also are stressed.

Better global ecological and environmental governance requires upholding the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, Premier Li said, calling for building a fair, reasonable and win-win global environment governance system.

He also stressed the main role of the United Nations in formulating ecological governance rules, adding that major countries should take up their responsibilities and play a positive leading role.

China has pursued a green transformation in economic and social development, the Premier said. Forest coverage rate and stock volume in the country have been increasing for 30 consecutive years, and the types of terrestrial ecosystems and major wildlife populations have been effectively protected.

The recent elephant migration in Southwest China’s Yunnan province that drew widespread attention has showed the country’s great emphasis on nature protection while protecting biodiversity, the Premier said.

China actively implements the Paris Agreement on climate change, with the world's largest carbon trading market launched in the country not long ago, the Premier said, adding China is willing to work with others for a clean and beautiful world.

The 7th World Conservation Congress was co-hosted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the French government. French President Emmanuel Macron, politicians from different countries and representatives from the industrial and commercial society attended the meeting.