Expo forum opens in Lhasa

Expo 2010 forum on Tibet starts in Lhasa today.

Wan Jifei, executive director of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Executive Committee, delivers a speech.

Wu Yingjie, executive vice chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region, delivers a speech.

Doje Cezhug, Mayor of Lhasa, delivers a speech.

Zhou Hanmin, deputy director of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Executive Committee, delivers a speech.

scene of forum

scene of forum

Many Chinese ecological and environment experts today gathered at an Expo forum in Lhasa City to discuss the ecological system and urban development of the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Tibet, the "roof of the world," hosts the origins of many important rivers in Asia. The global warming has affected the ecological system in Tibet, experts said. The glacier and plateau permafrost are thawing, desertification is spreading in the region while erosion situation gets worse every day.

"Lhasa is striving to develop itself into a beautiful and ecologically sustainable city and we attach great importance to protect historic relics and environment," Mayor of Lhasa Doje Cezhug said.

Trees have been planted along railway lines and up to 26 natural reserves have been set up, including three national-level reserves, Doje Cezhug added.

Lhasa will keep developing a recycle economy, improve the ecological system of the city and promoting environment protection ideals among residents, he added.

Zhou Hanmin, deputy director of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo Executive Committee, and Wang Yi, Chief Scientist of sustainable development of China Academy of Science, also delivered key-note speeches.

Expo Shanghai Forums are categorized into a summit forum, theme forums and public forums. The Lhasa forum is one of the public forums. Public forums intend to discuss specific issues for urban development and promote the Expo's theme of "Better City, Better Life" among the public through various events.