Chongqing, June 4 — Topic: How Are China’s Ecological Governance Achievements “Seen” and “Recognized” by the World?

June 5, 2026 marks the 55th World Environment Day and the 12th China Environment Day. Currently, the world faces severe challenges from intertwined crises including intensifying climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, and desertification expansion. Against this backdrop, China’s ecological governance path offers unique and applicable lessons for global efforts to address environmental crises and achieve sustainable development goals.

Why do China’s ecological governance achievements need to be “seen” by the world? How can they be translated into narratives that overseas audiences can intuitively understand in cross-cultural communication? Li Ren, Director of the Ecological Civilization Communication Research Center at Southwest University of Political Science and Law and one of the first chief environmental communication experts of the China Environmental Journalists Association, recently gave an exclusive interview on this topic.

The following is a summary of the interview:

Question: China has global influence in green technology and green industries. In overseas communication in this field, what are China’s successful cases, and what is the key to gaining international recognition?

Li Ren: From a communication perspective, international recognition is gradually built on “visible facts,” “usable products,” and “comparable results.” The reason China’s green technologies and industries have gained international attention is that they have transformed from domestically policy-driven “development achievements” into “public goods” in the global market and global governance.

In recent years, China has formed a relatively complete technology chain, industrial chain, and supply chain in areas such as new energy, energy storage, new energy vehicles, and photovoltaics, becoming a significant driving force for global green transformation.

Scale forms the basis of being “seen,” but the real key to international recognition lies in “credible technology, affordable costs, and sustainable cooperation.” For example, China’s photovoltaic industry has been widely deployed globally, not only due to sufficient production capacity but also because it has significantly reduced the cost of global clean energy use. The international communication of China’s green industries is more easily accepted, not just because “China is talking,” but because “the world is using.”

Another important success logic is the shift from “product communication to value communication.” Taking Chinese new energy vehicles going overseas as an example, overseas consumers initially focused on range, price, and intelligence levels. However, as product reputation forms, the green lifestyle, digital technology capabilities, and industrial innovation system behind them are gradually understood as part of Chinese-style modernization.

Overall, China’s green technologies and industries have gained international recognition because: first, they have hard power, with technological innovation and industrial systems forming the factual basis for communication; second, they have accessibility, allowing more countries, especially developing ones, to afford, use, and learn from them; and third, they have commonality, turning Chinese solutions into shared opportunities for global green development.

The largest photovoltaic power station in Latin America, built by a Chinese company in the Jujuy province of Argentina, in the Cauchari area. (File photo)

Question: Concepts like “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” and “harmonious coexistence between humans and nature” have distinct Chinese philosophical roots. In cross-cultural communication, how can these be transformed into stories that different countries can intuitively understand?

Li Ren: These concepts inherit the ideological threads of “unity of heaven and man” and “following the way of nature” from traditional Chinese philosophy. In cross-cultural communication, the focus should be on narrative transformation. In international communication, the world should see how these concepts change the lifestyle of a river, a village, a city, or a family. Once concepts are concretized, they move from being “translatable” to being “identifiable.”

For example, the ecological restoration of the Tongluoshan mining area in Chongqing’s Liangjiang New Area has significant cross-cultural communication value. Tongluoshan is rich in limestone resources. Decades of open-pit mining left many mine pits as “ecological scars.” In recent years, Chongqing has promoted mine pit restoration, water system reconstruction, vegetation recovery, and landscape re-creation, transforming this area from an ecological “liability

Tongluoshan mining area

The Tongluoshan mining area, located in Jiangxi Province, China, is a historically significant copper mining site that dates back over a thousand years to the Tang and Song dynasties. It was one of the most important ancient copper mines in China, contributing to the production of coinage and metalwork. Today, the area is recognized as a cultural heritage site, offering insights into traditional mining techniques and the region’s industrial history.

Liangjiang New Area

Liangjiang New Area is a national-level new district located in Chongqing, China, established in 2010 to drive economic development and urban modernization in the region. It was created as part of China’s broader strategy to boost the inland economy, integrating industries such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, and finance. Historically, the area has transformed from a largely rural and industrial zone into a key hub for innovation and trade in Southwest China.

Jujuy province

Jujuy is a province in northwestern Argentina known for its stunning landscapes, including the colorful hills of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its history is deeply rooted in pre-Columbian indigenous cultures, particularly the Omaguaca people, and later became a key region during the Inca Empire and Spanish colonization. Today, Jujuy preserves a rich blend of indigenous and colonial heritage, celebrated through its traditional festivals, crafts, and the unique “Cerro de los Siete Colores” (Hill of Seven Colors).

Cauchari area

The Cauchari area, located in the Jujuy Province of northwestern Argentina, is part of the Puna de Atacama high plateau known for its vast salt flats and rich mineral deposits. Historically, it was a significant site for pre-Columbian indigenous cultures, including the Omaguaca people, who utilized the region’s resources, and later during the colonial era, it became part of Spanish mining routes. Today, Cauchari is notable for the Cauchari Solar Park, one of the highest-altitude solar farms in the world, reflecting a modern shift toward renewable energy in the region.

Argentina

Argentina is a South American country known for its rich cultural heritage, including tango music and dance, and its diverse landscapes from the Andes mountains to the Pampas grasslands. Its history includes Spanish colonization in the 16th century, independence in 1816, and waves of European immigration that shaped its modern identity. Key cultural sites include the vibrant capital Buenos Aires, the Iguazú Falls, and the historic city of Córdoba.

Latin America

Latin America is a vast region encompassing countries in the Americas where Spanish and Portuguese are the primary languages, shaped by a complex history of indigenous civilizations, European colonization from the 15th century, and the transatlantic slave trade. It includes the ruins of ancient empires like the Aztec, Maya, and Inca, as well as colonial-era cities and vibrant cultural traditions blending indigenous, African, and European influences. Today, the region is known for its diverse landscapes, rich artistic heritage, and ongoing social and political developments.

Southwest University of Political Science and Law

Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL), located in Chongqing, China, is a prestigious institution specializing in legal education and research. Founded in 1950, it originated from the merger of several legal colleges and has since grown into a key university under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Education. Known for its strong focus on law, political science, and public administration, SWUPL has played a significant role in training legal professionals for modern China.

China Environmental Journalists Association

The China Environmental Journalists Association (CEJA) is a national, non-profit organization founded in 2009 under the guidance of China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection (now the Ministry of Ecology and Environment). It aims to support environmental journalists and promote public participation in environmental protection by facilitating media coverage and information sharing. CEJA plays a key role in raising environmental awareness and encouraging transparency in China’s environmental governance.