Visiting Chinese leader Li Ruihuan spoke highly of Britain's rich experiences and expertise in environmental protection in London on Monday, saying that China is willing to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with it in this aspect.
Li, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks when meeting with John Prescott, deputy prime minister of the UK.
"London used to be heavily polluted, but today I am impressed with the fresh air and enjoyable scenery," Li said.
However, the mankind on the whole is facing an environmental crisis with global climate warming, desertification and soil erosion, depletion of the ozone layer, sharp decrease of bio-variety and serious pollution of air and water resources, he pointed out.
Both developed and developing countries should enhance common understanding and carry out various forms of cooperation in environmental conservation, and the developed countries should play a greater role in protecting the earth with their advanced technologies and abundant resources, Li said.
Prescott said he shared Li's viewpoints on the environmental issue. He said that China has made major advances in environmental protection and Britain is willing to join hands with China for the improvement of the global environment.
(People's Daily May 29, 2002)
