The 2009 International Forum of Development and Environmental Protection opened in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, on May 24.

Organized by Yunnan Copper industry Co, Ltd and co-organized by CTB international Co, Ltd from the US, the forum will run until May 27.

Yunnan Copper has invited well-known experts from international environmental organizations IUCN and TNC to study and exchange ideas. The company spends lots of money, human and material resources to control pollution, save energy and reduce emissions to reach environmental standards, said Gong Xuchun, who is in charge of the organization department of Yunnan Copper.

Yunnan lies in the upper reaches of six river systems, including Irrawaddy River, the Jinsha River, Nu River, Lancang River, and the Red and Pearl Rivers. It is one of the richest areas in biological diversity worldwide, boasting the most abundant natural resources in China.

(China Daily May 27, 2009)