In recent years, Guangzhou has made great progress in its development of an ecological civilization which means to obtain material and spiritual wealth by following the objective principles of the harmonious development of mankind, nature and society. As one of the pioneering cities of China's reform and opening-up policies, Guangzhou has once again vigorously pushed forward urban development by building Guangzhou into a national forest city.　

On May 29th, the 1st China Summit Forum on Ecological Civilization was held in Guangzhou. At the forum, the only representative of Guangzhou Dr. Li Minghua, Chairman of Guangzhou's Social Sciences Association, said that with GDP per person exceeding USD8,000, Guangzhou has attached more importance to ecological development. He also said that the goals in dealing with sewage, exhaust emissions, dust and other pollutants have been clearly set in Guangzhou's eleventh Five-year plan.

Li suggested that the Municipal Government should strengthen legislation, supervision and education in relation to environmental protection. Enterprises producing pollutants against the relevant laws and regulations shall be severely punished and they shall upgrade technologies in order to reduce pollution. Environment assessment should be taken into consideration in attracting foreign or domestic investment. In addition, efforts should be made to enhance the citizens' awareness of environmental protection so that each citizen could make their contributions to the development of an ecological civilization in Guangzhou.