In the heart of Zhejiang Province, Yucun Village stands as a living testament to China's environmental transformation. Once scarred by limestone mining, this rural community now embodies President Xi Jinping's philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." Former UN under-secretary-general Erik Solheim guides us through this remarkable journey in the first installment of China Quest.
The village's revival story begins with the closure of polluting mines and quarries in the early 2000s, replaced by bamboo forests and eco-tourism ventures. Local resident Chen Xiaolu recalls: "Our rivers ran white with limestone dust. Today, my homestay business thrives on clean air and mountain views."
Solheim's exploration extends to coastal regions tackling marine pollution, where innovators transform ocean plastic into durable construction materials. "What others see as waste, Chinese entrepreneurs see as raw material," notes environmental researcher Dr. Li Wei. "This circular economy model could reshape global sustainability efforts."
The documentary highlights growing international interest in China's ecological governance model, particularly its integration of rural revitalization with carbon neutrality goals. With 25% of the world's newly forested areas coming from China since 2000, the nation's green transition offers lessons for developing economies worldwide.
