As rapid economic development and population growth put
increasing pressure on resources and the environment, the
international community is eager to find a way out, and a recycling
economy is a possible solution that is attracting attention. The
International Conference on Recycling Economy and Sustainable
Development to be held on November 24 and 25 in Shenzhen is one
such platform that will promote an exchange of ideas on the
subject.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing on Monday, Long
Yongtu, secretary general of the Boao Forum for Asia, and Liu
Yingli, executive vice mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal
Government?-- the two co-organizers of the conference?--
said that this will be the first high level international
conference on this new subject in China.
Themed, "Recycling Economy and Sustainable Development",
organizers expect over 400 delegates from government, business, the
academia as well as the press and media to attend the
conference.
According to Long, over the next 15 years, like many other
developing countries, China will still be in the process of
industrialization and urbanization, which means that energy
consumption will remain high. These countries will have to
simultaneously contend with the challenges of increasing
populations, limited resources and environmental pressures.
A recycling economy, as a development model, will take
centerstage as a means to cope with these pressures.
Long added that the conference provides a good platform for
information exchange, for developing countries to learn from the
experiences of developed nations, and promote the sustainable
development methods.
"We hope through this conference, this brand new concept of a
recycling economy will be widely recognized by the public and
further activate the attitudes of the governments and enterprises
towards the development of recycling economy on the one hand, and
introduce the enterprises to this bio-circle of a recycling economy
in order to contribute to the realization of rebuilding a bio-
culture and of the overall economic and social progress on the
other hand."
The conference will focus on two key issues: First is the role
of the two "major players" in the development of a recycling
economy, that is, government and enterprise. The emphasis for
government is on legislative support and policy extension; while
that of enterprise is to study the opportunities and challenges of
recycling economy.
The second issue is the two main fields in which to further the
development of a recycling economy, namely technology innovation
and international cooperation. The thrust of technology innovation
will be in new energy and energy saving; international cooperation
will focus on learning from international practices and exploring
indigenous models.
Conference sub-themes include "Recycling Economy:
Legislative Support and Promotion", "Market, Business, Industrial
Structure Readjustment and Recycling Economy", "Technology
Innovation and Recycling Economy", "Global Trends of Recycling
Economy and China's Efforts", "New Energy, Alternative Energy and
Clean Energy", "Prospects of Green and Energy Saving Housing",
etc.
The conference is part of a series of programs under a broad
project to build a "Harmonious and Efficient Shenzhen".
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Yuan Fang, October 10, 2006)
