Zhang Kunmin (Professor and Former Deputy Director of Ministry of Environmental Protection) Attended the “Top Talk”

School of Environment, Tsinghua University, November 4 (reported by Hua Yang)Zhang Kunmin, the deputy director of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, attended the “Top Talk” of International Class of School of Environment on the morning of November 3 and shared with nearly 40 students about his experiences and understandings acquired from environmental diplomacy. Yue Dongbei, the class teacher, hosted the interview.

As stated by Professor Zhang, both the world and China are confronted with severe environmental problems. To solve these problems, he, who has been engaged in environmental diplomacy for a long time, involved in formulating many important laws and attending various major international conferences, such as the first edition of Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 and preparation of Greenhouse Gas Emission Control of China: Problems and Countermeasures Professor Zhang concluded that, China is in urgent need for environmental talents who will strive for the development and discourse power during international transactions and even battle in frontlines when the country requires them to so. He also encouraged the students to equip themselves with five traits: enthusiasm, profession, persistence, concentration and unyieldingness.

Finally, Professor Zhang expressed his great expectations towards the International Class, hoping them to make contribution to environmental protection even when they are still students, achieve comprehensive development and develop spirit of hardworking and be ready to shoulder the responsibilities; seize all opportunities to learn and grow to be the backbone to connect China with world in terms of diplomacy and internal affairs as well as to safeguard the national interest.

Born in 1940 in Yixing City, Jiang Su, Professor Zhang chose to stay and teach at Tsinghua University when he graduated as postgraduate. He previously held the following posts: deputy director of Department of Civil Engineering of Tsinghua University, first term of deputy director of School of Environment, first Vice President of Environmental Management College of China, Deputy Director General of Ministry of Environmental Protection for two consecutive terms, Member of Leading Party Members’ Groups of Ministry of Environmental Protection and Secretary of the Party Committee of Administrative Organs and Direct-affiliated Institutions in Beijing, Secretary General of China Council for International Co-operation on Environment and Development, and the part-time professor and doctorial tutor of Tsinghua University and Renmin University of China. Professor Zhang is now the Committee Member of Technology Committee of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Honorary President of Chinese Society for Sustainable Development and the Director of Research Group of Low Carbon Development.

Edited by: Zhen Ai