Asian city leaders laud Yunnan's eco-development

Practices in Southwest China's Yunnan province that integrate ecological conservation with tourism and community development have provided valuable lessons for cities across South and Southeast Asia, visiting city leaders said on Thursday.

The officials were attending the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue in the Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture.

The event, themed "Rainforest & Home: Coexist, Co-create, Share", brought together municipal leaders to discuss environmentally friendly urban development and harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

The discussion followed field visits on Wednesday to Sanman village, the tea plantations on Nannuo Mountain and Wild Elephant Valley, where the delegates observed Xishuangbanna's efforts to integrate rural development, ecological conservation and tourism.

Killapanage Don Parakum Shantha, mayor of Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council in Sri Lanka, said the visits highlighted the importance of protecting rainforests, which play a critical role in regulating the climate, conserving biodiversity, protecting water resources and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people.

"The challenge before us is to ensure that environmental conservation and community development become complementary rather than competing priorities. For my home country Sri Lanka, this message has particular significance," he said.

He noted that Sri Lanka is home to several major ecological reserves, including the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Kanneliya Rainforest and the Knuckles Conservation Forest.

"Protecting these natural resources is not only an environmental responsibility but also an investment in long-term economic and social well-being," he said.

Khin Maung Aye, mayor of Mandalay in Myanmar, said the visits allowed him to see firsthand how Xishuangbanna manages its tropical rainforests while incorporating cultural resources into tourism development.

He said the prefecture's experience demonstrated that ecological conservation and urban development can advance together and offered valuable lessons for Mandalay.

"Mandalay can leverage its rich cultural heritage, traditional crafts and arts, the Thingyan Water Festival, religious culture and the Irrawaddy River to develop distinctive cultural tourism offerings, thereby creating jobs and increasing local incomes," he said.

Ly Sary, deputy governor of Siem Reap province in Cambodia, echoed that view, saying the benefits of development should be shared with local communities.

"We are actively fostering the development of ecotourism and cultural communities, allowing local residents to earn income directly through homestays, transportation services and the sale of souvenirs," he said.

Soukvisai Sisomvang, mayor of Pakse in Laos, said balancing forest conservation with community development requires sound planning and effective governance.

"Governments, communities, the private sector and other organizations should work together to restore forests, promote afforestation and sustainable agriculture, and create jobs for local people," he said.

He added that activities such as foraging for wild mushrooms and vegetables, utilizing water resources and developing ecotourism should be carried out in ways that preserve the ecological balance.

"Sustainable practices are essential to preserving these resources for present and future generations," he said.

Looking ahead, Pakse has set ambitious green development goals.

"In line with Pakse's green vision, we aim to increase forest coverage to 30 percent of the city's total area," Soukvisai Sisomvang said.