CGTN:

Balancing environmental protection and economic development is a global challenge, especially in ecologically fragile plateau regions. I would like to ask how has the Xizang Autonomous Region addressed this issue? What experiences can you share with us? Thank you.

Xu Zhitao:

Thank you for your interest in environmental protection in Xizang. As we all know, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau serves as an eco-environmental security barrier and the "Asian water tower," meaning it has highly significant ecological status. The Xizang Autonomous Region is resolutely implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and adhering to the bottom line of ecological security. Several measures have been taken to enforce the strictest system for environmental protection, including:

First, we have firmly established the concept of prioritizing ecological conservation. The Xizang Autonomous Region has made significant deployments to build a national eco-civilization highland, create a national eco-civilization construction demonstration region, and accelerate the construction of a beautiful and prosperous Xizang. More than 10 local environmental protection regulations, including the "Regulations on the Construction of the National Ecological Civilization Highland in the Xizang Autonomous Region," have been promulgated and implemented, consciously promoting green, circular and low-carbon development.

Second, we have improved the ecological conservation system. We have implemented an industrial access negative list, water resource management, redline for farmland, and requirements for basic grassland preservation. We strictly prohibit the projects with high pollution, energy consumption and emissions from entering Xizang. We have implemented a "one-vote veto" system for environmental protection. Moreover, we have instituted systems for evaluating and assessing the objectives of ecological civilization construction, conducting audits of natural resource assets upon departure from office, carrying out inspections on ecological environment protection, and ensuring accountability for ecological and environmental damage.

Third, we have strengthened ecological projects. We have carried out the "Two Rivers and Four Streams" afforestation project and eradicated the problem of treeless households and villages in suitable areas. We have initiated action plans to prevent and control air, water and soil pollution. We have intensified efforts to combat soil erosion, desertification and wetland degradation in key areas. We have implemented projects to return marginal farmland to forest, return grazing land to grassland and re-plant grass. We have comprehensively promoted green and clean production, advanced the ecological transformation and industrialization of key sectors, and fostered the development of ecological and carbon sequestration economies.

When it comes to sharing experiences, my personal understanding is that for thousands of years, the Xizang people have developed a mindset and way of life that reveres, respects and lives in harmony with nature on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the "roof of the world." Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee has prioritized ecological conservation in the plateau and identified environmental protection as one of the "four main tasks" in Xizang. In simple terms, our experience lies in cherishing our valuable traditions and serving the overall interests of the nation.

Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you to all the speakers and friends from the media. Today's press conference is hereby concluded. Goodbye.

Translated and edited by Xu Xiaoxuan, Li Xiao, Liu Caiyi, Liu Qiang, Liu Sitong, He Shan, Liu Jianing, Wang Wei, Qin Qi, Zhang Junmian, Zhang Rui, Li Huiru, Yan Bin, Yuan Fang, Zhang Tingting, Wang Ziteng, Zhou Jing, David Ball, Tom Arnsten, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.