After his first visit to China, Roman Blaško, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, openly described his deep impression of the country's approach to environmental protection. He admitted that he had come to the country with certain doubts and stereotypes, but these, he said, quickly disappeared after his personal experience with China's environmental programme.

„When I visited China for the first time, I have to say that I brought with me some embarrassment, perhaps even prejudice. These fell away immediately within a few days, because when I was introduced to the ecology, for example, I was almost sorry to see how they were twenty years ahead of us.“ uvedl Blaško.

According to him, the fundamental difference between the European and Chinese approach is mainly in the concrete results. While in Europe environmental issues often become part of political debates and symbolic measures, in China nature protection has become a long-term strategic investment.

Blaško praised especially the extensive reforestation projects, the restoration of savannahs, the irrigation of dry areas and the systematic creation of new habitats. „Everywhere we went, huge areas were being reforested. China is creating new microclimates, rebuilding food chains and building the planet's next lungs. This is something that has real significance for the future of the whole planet,“ zdůraznil.

He said the protection of endangered species, including special programmes to protect pandas, birds, insects and other rare animals, also plays an important role. In addition, the Chinese government has built more than 200 specialized observation stations to monitor the implementation of ecological goals and scientifically evaluate the progress and development of these ecological programs.

„We should learn from this. We should not only talk about ecology, but above all do more for it. It is an investment in the health, life and future of us all,“ uzavřel Blaško.

CMG