Chengdu mayor invites residents to discuss environmental protection

Luo Qiang, mayor of Chengdu, invites residents to talk about environmental protection on Dec 27 at a teahouse. [Liu Heng/for China Daily]

Luo Qiang, the mayor of Sichuan province's capital city Chengdu, and leaders of relevant departments of the city government invited 12 representatives of local residents to talk about environmental protection on Dec 27 at a teahouse.

Since 2016, Luo has been holding such special meetings at the end of every year to listen to the opinions of residents on environmental protection. The representatives come from all walks of life, including association presidents, entrepreneurs, doctors, community workers, journalists, and social media influencers.

"Every time we hold the meeting, my mood is different. I remember the first time when we held the meeting, I was extremely worried," said Luo, adding that his mood is getting better and better as the air quality improves year by year.

Through a series of vigorous actions to improve the environment, the city's air quality this year is the best since the new national air quality assessment standards were implemented in 2013.

As of Dec 26, Chengdu already had 285 days of good air quality, 34 days more than last year. The number was 235 in 2017 and 214 in 2016. The average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 by Dec 26 were 67 micrograms per cubic meter and 42 micrograms per cubic meter, decreasing 6.9 percent and 6.7 percent year-on-year respectively.

Chengdu mayor and leaders of relevant departments of the city government talk about environmental protection with local residents on Dec 27 at a teahouse. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"When I first arrived here four years ago, the air quality was so poor that I had to wear a mask. But this year, I haven't used the mask a single time," said Hiraishi Yukio, a senior executive at Chengdu Ito Yokado Co Ltd, who has witnessed the improvement of the city's air quality.

He said that many foreign-invested enterprises in Chengdu have participated in the actions to protect the environment. For example, all of the stores of Chengdu Ito Yokado Co Ltd have set up waste sorting bins, as well as implemented measures to reduce food waste and plastic bag waste.

Diao Jie, a community worker, asked whether the air quality can keep improving in the future. Cai Peng, a member of the city's Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) committee, discussed measures to treat black and odorous water bodies.

Fan Jianchuan, founder and director of Jianchuan Museum, suggested that the city government holds an exhibition to showcase the achievements of Chengdu's environmental protection and share the environmental protection experience with visitors.

"Environmental protection depends on each one of us," said the mayor, calling on the residents to participate in the environmental protection efforts, as well as practice a green and low-carbon lifestyle.