Prior to the 8th China Development Forum in Beijing, Kim Hak-Su, the Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), said that one effective way to realize green economic growth in China and other Asian-Pacific countries was to apply financial and tax incentives to change production and consumption patterns. He also said it was important to protect the environment in infrastructure construction.

Kim noted that the Asia-Pacific region has grown rapidly, but said that it suffered from a series of problems caused by environmental deterioration. The current mode of economic growth, 'pollute first; then treat it' is unsustainable. A shift towards green economic growth is the way to go.

The green economic growth mode attaches importance to protecting the environment and creating opportunities for green industries. Production and consumption patterns should take social ecological benefits into account. Not only would a green growth mode not hinder economic growth, it would create development opportunities.

Kim said he was confident of green economic growth in China. China has made tremendous efforts and achieved remarkable results.

By People's Daily Online