NEWS

"I’m delighted to be at ZISU and see so many university students from China and around the world. You’re very lucky to study and live on such a beautiful campus."

"Twenty years ago, China lagged behind countries like Germany and France in environmental governance, but now it has become a major driving force in global environmental protection and development."

"Yucun Village of Anji County is an excellent model. Bamboo is used to make products like chopsticks instead of plastic, which promotes the development of green industries."

"Rivers that were once dirty are now crystal clear, and people can even swim in them."

...

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the theory that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" put forward by Xi Jinping. To commemorate this occasion, ZISU, CGTN and the Publicity Department of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee co-hosted a special event titledThe Power of Thought: In Commemoration of the “Two Mountains” Theory. On April 7, Eric Solheim, former UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, and Chairman of the EU Asia Center, visited ZISU to share his insights on the theory and China's green transition under the theme "China's Journey of Green Transformation." The Lecture Hall C116 in Wangyuan Building was packed, with unending applause resounding in the room.

Before the lecture, Zhang Huanzhou, President and Deputy Party Secretary of ZISU, met with Solheim and Ge Jing, Deputy Director of the Commentary Department of CGTN. Zhang briefly reviewed the successful cooperation since signing an agreement with the EU Asia Center, expressed her appreciation for Solheim's long-term commitment to spreading the concept of ecological civilization, and his recognition and promotion of China's solutions. She shared her views with the guests on how to tell more convincingly the stories of Chinese-style modernization through the perspective of civilizational mutual learning. Chai Gaiying, Vice President and Member of the Party Committee, attended the meeting and the lecture.

Drawing on his years of international environmental governance experience, Solheim reviewed the remarkable journey of China's green transition. With detailed data and vivid cases, he showcased China's enormous achievements in renewable energy, ecological restoration, pollution control, and other fields, particularly highlighting China's key role in global climate governance and demonstrating the strength and speed of China's green transformation.

Solheim shared his observations and reflections from participating in the filming of CGTN'sChina Field Surveyspecial program on the 20th anniversary of the "Two Mountains" Theory. From the ecological transformation of Yucun Village to the development of green industries using bamboo instead of plastic, and the "Blue Circle" marine plastic pollution control program, he shared his field survey experiences in Zhejiang and highly praised the grassroots practices of China's green development. He also detailed stories of interacting with local people in Anji, allowing the audience to truly feel the positive changes brought by green transformation to people's lives. "These cases prove that economic development and ecological environmental protection can complement each other," Solheim commented.

During the Q&A session, ZISU students asked questions on topics such as "the role of technology in environmental governance," "how to conduct effective international communication," and "the responsibility of youth." Solheim answered each question with detailed explanation, sharing valuable advice based on his own experiences. He also encouraged students to start with small actions, cultivate environmental awareness, and pool their resources to contribute to global environmental protection.

This wonderful lecture deeply moved ZISU students. "Dr. Solheim vividly demonstrated China's green transition from an international perspective. He visited rural areas and personally experienced the transformation of places like Anji. His example of Alibaba to answer how young entrepreneurs can participate in low-carbon technological innovation made me realize that we should closely follow the international agenda of green transition and strive to find paths through our own efforts," said Xu Qingyang, a 2023-grade Cross-Border E-Commerce major.

Ali, a Moroccan student, said that Solheim's focus on presenting an authentic picture of China—by vividly showcasing the achievements in various fields and their profound impact on the global landscape—was both inspiring and enlightening. "It’s necessary to break stereotypes about China. When people talk about China, they shouldn’t see only its commodity exports, or cling to the prejudice of 'underdevelopment'."

Xu Mengcheng, a 2022-grade Chinese Language and Literature major, stated that Solheim's lecture made her realize the mission of the younger generation. In future, she will start with small actions, such as reducing the use of disposable plastic products and paying attention to garbage sorting, actively spread environmental concepts, and motivate those around her to participate in environmental protection, contributing their strength to the sustainable development of China and the world.