Chishui River case study offers vital lessons for Global South

Guizhou's Chishui River case study is highlighted at the symposium. [Photo provided to eguizhou.gov.cn]

Wang Yi, vice-chairman of the National Expert Committee on Climate Change, delivered a keynote speech titled "Synergy Between Climate Change Response and Nature Protection: From Scientific Understanding to Consensus on Action" at the Symposium 2026 for Eco Forum Global Guiyang, held on July 6 in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province.

Wang pointed out that the world currently faces the dual pressure of development and green transformation, and balancing socio-economic growth with green, low-carbon transformation presents significant practical challenges.

While Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, is seeing new shifts driven by the rise of electric vehicles and renewable energy alongside positive strides in green trade and finance, geopolitical tensions complicate the landscape. Amid these global strains, issues such as biodiversity loss are drawing increased attention, making the synergistic governance of climate and nature more critical than ever.

Highlighting Guizhou as a prime example, Wang noted that the province has done effective work in ecological civilization, exploring circular economy models roughly 30 years ago and now implementing systematic watershed management, legislative protections, and ecological restoration along the Chishui River basin.

The Chishui River's ecological preservation resonates positively with the development of the local Chinese baijiu industry. Wang emphasized that this case study offers blueprints to help other Global South countries navigate their own green transformations.