STORY: China's marine ecological civilization vision key to global sustainability, says Turkish scholar
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: June 9, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:05
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies
3. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies

STORYLINE:

China's ambitious goal of constructing a marine ecological civilization is crucial for ensuring sustainable development globally, a Turkish scholar has said.

Selcuk Colakoglu, director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, said that China's efforts have gained widespread acceptance and serve as a guiding principle for other developing countries.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies
"China has experienced a very rapid development process and rapid urbanization in the last three to four decades. After reaching some level of development process, China has focused more on balanced and sustainable development and also protection of environment."

China knows very well that without protecting the environment, marine ecology, and natural resources, no country can achieve sustainable development, Colakoglu said.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies
"So, these Chinese practices and policies developing for sustainable goals are very important. So now we can see that Chinese cities have become more environmental friendly and also compatible with the green development concept."

As an example, the southeastern city of Xiamen, Fujian Province, has pursued systematic ecological governance for over 30 years and contributed to high-quality development through marine ecological restoration.

The city has invested a total of 105.6 billion yuan (14.6 billion U.S. dollars) in efforts to construct a bay city where humans and nature coexist harmoniously. Once overly polluted, Yundang Lake in Xiamen now boasts clear water and abundant aquatic life, making it a scenic spot for both residents and tourists.

Colakoglu said he believes that as a leading developing country, Chinese participation is very important for supporting environmental protection at the global level and raising awareness, which will "encourage other developing countries in the Global South to follow sustainable development goals."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies
"These (initiatives) are very important for China and for further global cooperation. And particularly these projects and cooperation are important to encourage other developing countries in the Global South to follow sustainable development goals."

The scholar noted China's active participation in the United Nations' environmental activities and initiatives, in the Paris Climate Agreement, and in related climate events organized by the G20 and other international organizations.

"China's eagerness, as one of the largest economies in the world, to enhance environmental protection, support the climate change agenda, and promote sustainable development goals is evident," he added.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)