China is willing to enhance cooperation with other countries and international organizations to boost its protection of the environment, according to the State Environmental Protection Administration head, Zhou Shengxian.

 

Zhou said on Saturday that China's environment protection is currently facing great opportunities while has to overcome a series of difficulties.

 

He said environment pollution and ecological damage are still serious in the country and conditions continue to deteriorate due to overheated fixed asset investment and an irrational development pattern. He added the environment problem has been a key factor hampering China's development and damaging its societal stability.

 

Zhou expressed his hope that related experts could introduce advanced notions on sustainable development into China along with an inflow of capital and technology.

 

He also urged the acceleration of the country's environmental protection efforts, with a combination of foreign experience and domestic practices.

 

(CRI November 13, 2006)