Trans-Himalaya Forum focuses on green development

The fifth China Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation convened on Thursday in Nyingchi, Xizang autonomous region, with a focus on green development and ecological protection across the Himalayan region.

The event, which runs through Saturday, brings together government officials, diplomats, experts and representatives from more than 20 countries to discuss environmental governance, sustainable development and regional cooperation.

The forum serves as a platform for countries to exchange views and deepen co-operation. Its program includes a main forum and four parallel sessions on climate change and ecological security, cultural tourism, sports co-operation and green health.

At the opening ceremony on Friday, Wang Guangqian, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, said countries in the Trans-Himalayan region were "connected by mountains and rivers, linked by cultures and bound by a shared future".

Wang called for stronger political trust, improved infrastructure connectivity, closer environmental co-operation and sustained people-to-people exchanges. He said countries in the region should work together to build a cleaner and more sustainable ecological system.

Wang Junzheng, secretary of the Communist Party of China's Xizang Committee, said the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau plays an important role in Asia's water security, climate stability and biodiversity conservation.

He said Xizang is expanding clean energy and other low-carbon industries while linking conservation projects with efforts to increase local incomes.

A collaborative network for the prevention and treatment of high-altitude illnesses was also launched during the main forum.