Many factors were encouraging an environmentally friendly lifestyle in traditional Chinese culture, Cao Tiandian, president of the Chinese Consumers’ Association, was quoted as saying at a ceremony marking the 19th International Day of Consumers’ Rights and Interests held in Beijing Thursday.

Thriftness is regarded by the Chinese as a very important virtue which is in keeping with one of the principles of “green consumption” - economizing on natural resources.

At the end of last year, Cao’s association chose “green consumption” out of three choices as the focal point for consumers’ rights protection this year, which is aimed at helping consumers choose organic products that do not cause pollution.

Cao said his association will launch a series of activities focusing on it, such as recommending high-quality organic products and production bases and exposing the 10 worst cases harming consumer health.

The association also wants people to pay more attention to environmental protection and energy efficiency during consumption. “Green consumption” concept is also in accordance with international trends, said Cao, pointing out that “green consumption and sustainable development” is a hot topic worldwide today.

(Xinhua 03/16/2001)