Erik Solheim, former UN under-secretary-general and chair of the Europe-Asia Center, has spent decades shaping global sustainability dialogues. But in a striking twist, he recently stepped into the shoes of an interviewer for CGTN's environmental documentary series China Quest: A Journey Through Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains, uncovering grassroots stories behind China's ecological modernization.
Traveling beyond conference rooms, Solheim engaged with farmers, entrepreneurs, and conservationists in remote regions. One standout moment came during a visit to a rural solar power cooperative, where he learned how households transformed barren land into renewable energy hubs. "The real heroes are those weaving sustainability into daily life," Solheim remarked during filming.
The documentary reveals unexpected parallels between China's green initiatives and global climate goals, particularly through community-led reforestation projects and smart city innovations. Academics note the program's value in bridging Western perspectives with on-the-ground realities of Asia's largest decarbonization effort.
For investors, the series offers rare insights into China's green tech sector growth, while diaspora viewers gain a fresh lens on environmental progress in their ancestral regions. As cross-border sustainability collaboration gains urgency, Solheim's journey underscores the human stories powering planetary solutions.
