SEPA Vice Minister Li Ganjie met with visiting UNEP Deputy Executive Director Shafqat Kakakhel in Beijing on Oct. 26. They exchanged views on further enhancing cooperation in the field of environmental protection.

Minister Li introduced China's efforts in environmental protection to Mr. Kakakhel. The Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of sustainable development and highly valued environmental protection in the face of severe environmental situation. The just concluded 17th CPC Congress stressed the need to thoroughly apply Scientific Outlook on Development, gave prominence to environmental protection in our national strategy and made arrangement for efforts to build a resource-conserving and environment-friendly society. Environmental issues are taken as important part in China's policy for foreign relations which shows a commitment to the protection of the planet that we human beings rely upon though mutual help and joint efforts.

Li Ganjie expressed gratitude to UNEP for its long standing support and care for China's environmental protection cause. He acknowledged the effective and pragmatic cooperation between UNEP and SEPA and wished future cooperation would be furthered in terms of project development, personnel and technical exchange and would continue to expand in scope and depth.

Kakakhel thanked SEPA for its consistent support to UNEP. He hoped both sides would strengthen communications, exchanges and cooperation, share their experience in environmental protection and continue to advance the development of global environmental cause.