The annual Global Eco-Forum opening on July 19 in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, will provide great opportunities to boost the city's sustainability and overall development, say local officials.

Themed with "green revolution and transformation", the national-level forum "is sure to raise the public awareness of environmental protection", said Li Jun, deputy Party chief of Guizhou.

"It will also help reshape Guiyang's industrial structure and the implementation of green policies," Li said.

One of the earliest cities in China to advocate ecologically sensitive development, Guiyang has held four Global Eco-Forum conferences since 2009.

Over the past few decades, it has had "remarkable results" in environmental management , said Li .

Guiyang has also formulated laws for environment-related cases.

"The local government strives to popularize the concept and knowledge to every citizen of Guiyang."

Zhang Xinsheng, head of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and secretary of the Global Eco-Forum in Guiyang, said as one of the fastest-growing provinces, Guizhou has enhanced economic development yet preserved the natural environment.

"We believe that hosting the international conference here will have a great significance to our long-term development."

Tony Blair, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, said at an earlier forum that Guiyang leads in efforts focused on the ecosystem, ethnic cultures, tourism and herbal medicine.

Gerhard Schroeder, former German Chancellor, said the city has struck a balance between industrial development and environmental protection.

"I hope that through this meeting, the idea will spread more widely," said he.

Li said the city will also provide logistics and other services for participants in the upcoming forum.

"I'm confident that the ecological civilization in Guiyang is not an unrealistic idea or a slogan, but real action," said Li.

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(China Daily 07/19/2013 page24)