In recent years, China has created miracles in both ecological conservation and green development, drawing worldwide attention. Many foreign friends living, working, studying in or visiting China have captured beautiful sceneries around them through their cameras. Their photos vividly record the achievements of China’s ecological governance and green development.
Undulating mountains, massive bamboo forests, shimmering waters… Images of Zhongzhang village in Anji county, east China’s Zhejiang province, captured through the lens of Peter Rich, recipient of South Africa’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Architecture, exude tranquillity and beauty.
Rich was drawn to the scenic splendour when he first visited Anji. As the birthplace of the Chinese philosophy that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” Anji treasures its verdant landscape as its most incredible wealth.
“Every time I come to Anji, I find myself intoxicated by the ecological environment, feeling far removed from the city clamor and attaining inner peace,” he said.
Li’ao village, on the eastern foothills of Siming Mountain, Ningbo, Zhejiang province, over 300 households have solar panels installed on their rooftops, which always glimmer under the sunlight. The Ningbo Electric Power Supply Company of State Grid, the local government, and photovoltaic enterprises jointly built this solar project. It grants villagers a certain amount of free electricity each year and makes extra collective income by selling the surplus power it generates.
Rogelio, from Brazil, has lived and worked in China for over a decade. He told People’s Daily that he was delighted by the human-nature harmony when seeing the image taken by his drone. “Over the past more than ten years, I’ve seen the ecological environment around me get better and better, the scenery more and more beautiful. I hope more people can come to China to see what’s happening in the country,” he said.
This photo shows how natural scenery and urban architecture are harmonised harmoniously in Guangzhou Science City, South China’s Guangdong province. The banyan trees along the river bank cast shades of coolness. The photo was captured by Peter Helis, a German working for the Guangzhou Development Zone, while running along a river in the morning.
“The beautiful environment in the city allows residents to better recharge their energy for work and life,” said Helis.
Having lived in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for nearly 20 years, Helis is familiar with the development and changes there. In another of his works, which was taken in a park in Guangzhou’s Huangpu district, a red-whiskered bulbul is enjoying a sumptuous berry breakfast.
“In recent years, China has made remarkable achievements in ecological governance. There have been great improvements in water quality and protection of wildlife habitats. Many birds come to the Greater Bay Area in autumn and winter,” Helis said. He is currently working on global investment promotion for the Guangzhou Development Zone.
“My work and life are centered in China. I hope I can keep working here until I retire. I love China.”
In Huangling village, Wuyuan County, east China’s Jiangxi province, the local government has promoted ecological tourism development by leveraging environmental resources and other advantages, embarking on integrated industrial development. Huangling is a hilly village, so villagers often dry grains on rooftops. The assorted crops drying on the round winnowing baskets resemble a series of opened umbrellas, forming a lively and pleasing scene.
Sarah Mary De Meillon, a South African student at the Chinese Language and Culture College of Huaqiao University, took this photo. This cheerful South African gave herself a beautiful Chinese name – “Huang Mei Gui,” which means yellow rose. She has also visited many scenic spots in China, such as Huating Lake in Anhui Province and Yundang Lake in Xiamen, Fujian Province.
“The lucid waters and lush mountains in China are truly very beautiful! I have truly felt China’s efforts in ecological environment protection and governance,” she said.
