The Tibet Autonomous Region sits on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and forms a key ecological security screen for South and Southeast Asia. Protecting its environment is important for much of the continent. Participants at the forum have proposed ways to promote greener development there.
Representatives attend a group discussion meeting of the Forum on the Development of Tibet in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 7, 2016. [Liu Dongjun / Xinhua]
Pursuing a harmony between man and nature. Tibet is known as the Third Pole of the world. It is the source of headwaters for major rivers that flow through regions surrounding Tibet. Environmental protection is also important for people living in Tibet.
"Economic growth should be made on the basis of protecting ecological security. In Tibet, we prioritize developing our advantageous industries, like mineral water production. We refuse to foster polluting industries from other parts of China and overseas. So far, there's no polluting company running in Tibet," Zhang Tianhua, deputy director of Environmental Protection Bureau in Tibet Autonomous Region, said.
For the past four decades, Zhang Tianyu has been working at China's environmental department. He says his work is convincing others to adjust their mode of development.
"After all, there are more than three million people of different ethnic backgrounds living in Tibet. Their rights to enjoy a better life should be guaranteed. Like people from other parts, Tibetans would also like to live under a well-off society. However, the development should be carefully controlled, and not harm the ecosystem," Zhang said.
Green development is one of the main focuses at this year's Tibet Development Forum. Discussions center around sustainable ways to use natural resources. Participants have praised Tibet's achievements in green development -- and say more international cooperation is needed to make further gains.
"I was amazed to learn here in Tibet, for example, that more than one third of the land, the total land, are wild areas. There is a lot to learn from that. Tibet can teach the rest of the world.," Javier Vega Camargo with Mexican Chamber of Deputies said.
Mr Carmago argues that environmental protection is not achieved with the signing of treaties, but with economic incentives and barriers elimination.
Still, he thinks the road ahead for Tibet's green development is to adopt a balanced formula.
"Creating these roads, creating these developments has an impact on the environment. So we have to deal with it in the best way possible. And we believe the best way to do it is to get a good balance between them," Camargo said.
