Beijing event highlights Green Silk Road development

A forum on integrating sustainability principles into global development projects brought together European and Chinese participants in Beijing on Oct. 16.

Erik Solheim, former U.N. under-secretary-general and United Nations Environment Programme executive director, speaks at the "Building the Green Silk Road" forum in Beijing, Oct. 16, 2025. [Photo by Fu Junhua/China.org.cn]

The "Building the Green Silk Road" discussion, co-hosted by the EU-Asia Center and Jinshang Group, featured a keynote address by Erik Solheim, former U.N. under-secretary-general and United Nations Environment Programme executive director, and chairman of the EU-Asia Center.

In his speech, Solheim passionately advocated for the deep integration of green development principles into the Belt and Road Initiative, calling for a full-throttle push towards green infrastructure development.

When discussing how nations can advance their green agendas, Solheim pointed to the role of governance. "The political system matters," he said, arguing that China's governance model has shown efficiency advantages over those in Europe and North America in advancing green initiatives.

He also highlighted China's achievements in the renewable energy sector, particularly in solar and wind power. He noted that "China added nearly 100 gigawatts of solar energy to the grid in May this year," calling it "absolutely enormous."

"In one month, China added more solar capacity than any other nation except the United States has ever added to its grid," he noted.

He also credited China's investments and technological innovation for propelling global renewable energy growth and providing experience and models for other nations.

A panel discussion, moderated by Einar Tangen, a commentator who has appeared on CGTN and the BBC, examined the human capital required for a sustainable future.

Panelists, including former U.N. official and Fortune 500 board director Yeung-Sang Lau, and Liu Daizong, east Asia regional director of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, emphasized that advancing green literacy is a long-term endeavor.

They said effective transmission of green development principles is crucial and requires educators to teach environmental protection to children so that the next generation adopts ecological awareness.