PM Imran praises Chinese president for 'combating climate change'

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday that Pakistan lauds Chinese President Xi Jinping’s role in "combating climate change and biodiversity loss".

PM Imran took to Twitter to thank President Xi for his "strong message" he shared on the World Environment Day 2021 that was hosted by Pakistan. He said the message reflected Pakistan and China’s commitment to countering environmental degradation.

"We laud Pres Xi's leadership in combatting climate change and biodiversity loss and his offer to step up cooperation on ecosystem restoration," Khan said.

I thank 🇨🇳 President Xi’s strong message on World Environment Day 2021 hosted by 🇵🇰 reflecting our commitment to counter environment degradation. We laud Pres Xi's ldrship in combatting climate change & biodiversity loss & his offer to step up cooperation on ecosystem restoration

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 6, 2021

The Chinese president, in his congratulatory letter to the World Environment Day events held in Islamabad, had urged the international community to work together with an "unprecedented ambition and action to strive for a fair and reasonable system of global environmental governance featuring win-win cooperation and promote the sustainable development of humanity".

The Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that President Xi described the events hosted by Pakistan with the theme of ecosystem restoration as events of "great significance".

"Earth is humanity's shared home, and a sound ecosystem is essential for the prosperity of civilizations," the Chinese president said.

He appealed to the humanity to "respect nature, follow its laws, protect it and endeavor to foster a new relationship where humans and nature can both prosper and live in harmony".

"Climate change, biodiversity loss, worsening desertification and frequent extreme weather events have all posed severe challenges to human survival and development," said Xi.

The letter by the Chinese president came as Pakistan, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, hosted the World Environment Day on Saturday.

The day was celebrated across the world through various events and activities, in line with the latest coronavirus regulations.

This year, the theme is "ecosystem restoration" and focuses on resetting our relationship with nature.

Pakistan in recognition to its lead role in implementing promising “Ecosystem Restoration Initiatives” was given hosting of World Environment Day where it showcased its success stories in nature conservation.