The first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was held on 5 June 1972, marking the beginning of the pursuit of integrating environmental and economic development after a long period of exploitation. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was convened in 1992, and the strategy of sustainable development was thus recognized and universally accepted. Since then, a consensus has been developed amongst international communities to preserve the environment, care for the Earth and undertake sustainable development.

Safeguarding the Earth
In the course of long human history, 30 years are merely the twinkling of an eye. However, during the past three decades, human society has made unremitting efforts to save our ailing homeland. Though there are differences and debates on approaches to environmental protection, the joint effort of all nations to address the environmental crisis and safeguard the Earth has become an immense historical trend.

Our hope is to leave a beautiful world to our future generations

It is a tradition of Chinese people to love nature, treasure the environment, focus on human needs, and pursue harmonization between humans and nature. Through 30 years of efforts in China, environmental protection has become the basic state policy – and environmental awareness has been dramatically raised. The strategy of sustainable development has become a guideline for all levels of government in China in directing social and economic development, and it has also been effectively translated into practice.

Meeting the challenge
As a developing country with a large population and relatively scarce resources, China is severely challenged in facing environmental protection. However, the Government of China has not only been devoted to addressing domestic environmental problems, but also actively involved in global environmental cooperation.