*** Highlights:
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday addressed via videolink the opening ceremony of the high-level segment of the second part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), held in Canada's Montreal.
Noting that humanity lives in a community with a shared future, Xi said solidarity and cooperation is the only effective way to address global challenges.
*** Subtitles & Soundbites:
Dec. 15
Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed via videolink the opening ceremony of the high-level segment of the second part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15).
SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): XI JINPING
A sound ecosystem is essential for the prosperity of civilization. We must work together to promote harmonious co-existence between man and Nature, build a community of all life on the Earth, and create a clean and beautiful world for us all.
Xi emphasized
We need to build global consensus on biodiversity protection
We need to push forward the global process of biodiversity protection
We need to promote green development through biodiversity protection
We need to uphold a fair and equitable global order on biodiversity protection
"All living things should flourish without harming each other; all ways of life should thrive without hindering each other." Let us work together to open a new chapter in building a community of all life on the Earth and create a bright future of harmonious co-existence between man and Nature.
SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): HUANG RUNQIU, President of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15)
"President Xi Jinping addressed the high-level segment of the second part of the COP15 and delivered a keynote speech. This makes us feel deeply encouraged. From the perspective of building a human community with a shared future, President Xi called on the international community to work together to promote global action on biodiversity conservation, build a community of all life on the Earth, create a clean and beautiful world for us all, and achieve sustainable development globally. This fully demonstrates the responsibility of President Xi as the leader of a major country."
SOUNDBITE 3 (English): LEONARDO CLEAVER DE ATHAYDE, Director of the Department of Sustainable Development under Brazil's Foreign Ministry
"I think President Xi's pronouncement was very, very good, very inspiring. I think he conveyed all the right messages to delegations here at COP15. I think, you know, the Chinese presidency has been playing a very important role as a leader."
SOUNDBITE 4 (English): DR MARCO LAMBERTINI, Director General of WWF International
"So today's opening speech of President Xi contained some powerful words, particularly the focus on the need to move to action. We really also appreciate the effort of the Chinese presidency."
SOUNDBITE 5 (English): LUIS SECO, Professor with the University of Toronto
"The efforts that China has made. They look very good. In particular, this policy for the (ecological protection) red lines is very strong, is very encouraging. It is measurable. And I think it leads to a very good example that other countries can follow."
SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): NIU HONGWEI, Director of Nature and Environmental Protection at the Paulson Institute
"China is one of the countries in the world that is very rich in biodiversity. I believe that China, as the presidency of COP15, will continue to lead global biodiversity conservation efforts in the future."
