The consular corps consisting of 25 representatives from 24 consulates in Guangzhou started a visit to Shaoguan and Qingyuan cities in north Guangdong on October 26^th. The tour is organized by Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office (GDFAO).

Themed ecological conservation and rural revitalization, the tour highlights exchange in the post-pandemic era and cooperation between Guangdong and its foreign counterparts.

Shaoguan boasts Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark, the naming site of danxia landform. It became an UNESCO Global Geopark in 2004 and a World Heritage Site in 2010. Characterised by multi-layered red sedimentary rocks of sandstone and conglomerate, the area was formed in a basin by fluvial deposition 140-65 million years ago. Warm and wet climate enhanced oxidation in rocks and turned the colour of their sediments to red. They were later uplifted, undercut by water and accelerated by rock fall to create the present danxia landform.

Consular corps visit Danxiashan. (Photo/Newsgd.com)

“It's such a beautiful spot. There's no doubt that it should be listed in the world heritage. It is particularly important for ecological reasons as well, due to a lot of biodiversity here.” Michael Sadleir, Consul General of Australia in Guangzhou, said when visiting Danxia Mountain.

Guangdong published a development guideline in 2019, which tended to improve the ecological environment for both humans and creatures in north Guangdong.

Consular corps visit Shaoguan Urban Planning Exhibition Center. (Photo/Newsgd.com)

Diyar Khan, Consul General of Pakistan in Guangzhou was impressed by Shaoguan’s clean water and green environment, and quoted President Xi’s remark when talking about cooperation between Shaoguan and Pakistan: “Lucid waters and lush mountains are as precious as mountains of gold and silver”. He shows great interest in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area VBP Products Shaoguan Distribution Center and biotechnology. CG Khan comments: “The cooperation with Shaoguan will play an important role in China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).”

Consular corps visit Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area VBP Products Shaoguan Distribution Center. (Photo/Newsgd.com)

As the northernmost mountainous region in Guangdong, Shaoguan is rich in wild animal and plant resources. There are 575 terrestrial wild animals in the region recorded by the city, of which 39 species are the national first- and second-level protected animals; 2,686 species of higher plants, of which 46 species are listed as national first- and second-level key protected species.

“Preserving biodiversity must be one of our top priorities as well as government officials’. You have hundreds of authentic flora and fauna, as well as species that only exist here.” Facundo Agrelo, Deputy Consul of Argentina in Guangzhou said. Taking Guangzhou as an example, where he now lives, he was impressed that waste is separated in every complex and every house, and the quality of the air has been improved year after year.

Consular corps visited Feng Du Shu Fang. The mini-library is equipped with intelligent electronic equipment that integrates certificate processing, borrowing and returning books, and readers can enter with just one ID card. The first batch of Feng Du Shu Fang was officially put into use in January 2018. In four years, there are 71 mini-libraries in Shaoguan, which have received more than 4 million readers by bringing knowledge closer to the citizens. (Photo/Newsgd.com)

“It's very important for all of us to do more to protect the environment.” Sadleir has been staying in Guangdong for over 20 years and witnessed Guangdong’s improvement in the protection of the environment and people's consciousness on this over those 2 decades. “This is a very important thing for the people of Guangdong but also for people around the world,” he added.

Author: Hannah

Editors: Wing, Jerry, Steven