China’s top climate change negotiator Xie Zhenhua to receive HK$20 million Hong Kong prize
Xie Zhenhua, China’s chief negotiator at the Paris Agreement, will receive the Lui Che Woo Prize for his efforts to tackle global climate change
China’s top climate change negotiator will be given a HK$20 million Hong Kong prize for his contributions to global civilisation.
Xie Zhenhua, China’s chief negotiator at the Paris Agreement, UN climate change conferences, and the former head of China’s State Environmental Protection Administration, will be presented one of the awards under the Lui Che Woo Prize for his efforts to tackle climate change.
“We honour his achievements in preventing climate change and thus ensuring a sustainable future not only in China but also globally”, said prize recommendation committee chairman Professor Lawrence Lau Juen-yee.
Climate of change: Chinese envoy Xie Zhenhua’s decade at the forefront of global warming talks
The prize, set up by property tycoon and casino owner Lui Chee-woo in 2015, honours individuals or organisations with outstanding achievements in three categories – sustainable development of the world, betterment of the welfare of mankind and promotion of positive life attitude each year.
Professor Lau said Xie has led China in energy conservation, pollutant emission reduction and land use since 1993, when he became head of the mainland’s environmental protection agency.
In November 2016, Xie openly criticised US president Donald Trump for backing out of the Paris global climate change pact.
“No matter leaders from which country, they need to be in line with global development trends. People would not support their leader when he goes against the trend. Country’s progress would be affected as a result,” said Xie, when answering a reporter’s question on Trump policy on global warming last year.