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Erik Solheim

chinadaily.com.cn| Updated: April 12, 2021 L M S

Erik Solheim, former undersecretary-general of the United Nations and executive director of the UN Environment Program, said the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" is now inspiring China and should inspire the entire world in a video speech.

Solheim visited Zhejiang province a few years back and saw pollutants dying the river milky white.

Children were not allowed to swim, and there were only factories, no people.

Now all this has changed thanks to green development measures, and thousands upon thousands of tourists are coming to enjoy the beauty of nature and the great cultural heritage of China, promoting local economic development.

Solheim believes the river chief system can inspire the rest of the world as to how to get the cleanup of rivers right.