Trans-Himalayan Forum Highlights Ecological Protection and Regional Cooperation in Xizang

Dragon Media News Desk

Participants at the fifth China Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation have called for stronger cooperation in ecological protection, green development and practical engagement among countries across the Himalayan region.

The forum, held in Nyingchi from Thursday to Saturday under the theme “Promoting Harmony between Humanity and Nature, Sharing the Fruits of Cooperation and Development,” brought together government officials, diplomats, scholars, business representatives and delegates from 29 countries and regions.

Wang Guangqian, vice-chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said the trans-Himalayan region is home to countless mountains and the source of thousands of rivers.

Protecting its pristine environment is a shared responsibility and historic mission of all countries in the region, he said.

Since the inaugural forum in 2018, China has expanded exchanges and cooperation with participating parties in environmental governance, green development, cultural exchanges and mutual learning, producing tangible results, Wang said.

This year’s forum featured discussions on ecological conservation, plateau culture and tourism development, sports cooperation and public health in high-altitude regions.

Wang Junzheng, secretary of the Communist Party of China Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee, said more than 50 percent of Xizang’s land area has been placed within ecological protection “red lines.”

He said forest coverage and vegetation coverage across grasslands have continued to increase annually, while Xizang remains one of the regions with the highest environmental quality in the world.

The region has adopted the strictest systems and rigorous legal measures to protect its ecological environment, he added.

Gim Huay Neo, managing director of the World Economic Forum, said travel and tourism have become especially important at a time of geopolitical tension and global fragmentation.

She said tourism could help connect cultures, strengthen human relationships and create shared experiences.

Neo described the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau as a place where people can embrace their differences while working together to protect their common home for future generations.

Bangladeshi Ambassador to China Md. Nazmul Islam said the forum was both timely and highly relevant to the shared realities and challenges facing countries across the region.

He said such platforms play an important role in promoting dialogue, building partnerships and generating innovative ideas to address common challenges.

By bringing together policymakers, scholars, entrepreneurs and representatives from different sectors, the forum helps deepen mutual understanding and encourages practical cooperation, he added.