Xinhua All Media+| Green and Harmonious Coexistence - Observation of the "Green Asian Games"

As the autumnal equinox approaches, the fragrance of osmanthus surges in secret, and the land of Zhijiang welcomes the time of the Asian Games.

The "Silk Road Scenery" illuminates Hangzhou, with over 100 million people contributing "green energy" through low-carbon actions... The Hangzhou Asian Games will achieve the use of green electricity in all competition venues.

Zhejiang is the birthplace of the concept of "green mountains and clear waters are as valuable as gold and silver", and the "Green Asian Games" has become a distinctive symbol of the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Here, the green development concept of China in the new era has deeply rooted in people's hearts, and the construction of a beautiful China is being comprehensively promoted. The scene of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature is slowly unfolding.

This is a photo taken on June 28, 2023, of the sports stadium complex at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Zongzhi

Organizing low-carbon competitions and practicing the "dual carbon" action

A gust of wind blows through Hami, Xinjiang, causing the blades of the fan to rotate; In Jiayuguan, Gansu, a beam of light shines down and electrons flow in the photovoltaic panels... On the spot, the gate of the pavilion is opened, and the "scenery" along the Silk Road transmitted through the ultra-high voltage power grid is instantly illuminated.

Crossing mountains and seas, highlighting green considerations——

A single crystal double-sided photovoltaic module located in Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, with an average daily power generation of 2.2 kilowatt hours, can supply an energy-saving light for the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium and Swimming Pool for 220 hours; The 16 green electricity transactions completed at the Hangzhou Asian Games have accumulated 621 million kilowatt hours of electricity, equivalent to saving 76000 tons of standard coal; From March to the end of this year, all 56 competition venues of the Hangzhou Asian Games will continue to use green electricity.

Three years ago, China made a solemn commitment to the world: striving to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

China's installed capacity of renewable energy has historically surpassed coal-fired power; Provide 50% of wind power equipment and 80% of photovoltaic module equipment to the world; The production and sales of new energy vehicles have ranked first in the world for 8 consecutive years... Guided by the "dual carbon" work, China continues to promote the green and low-carbon transformation of production and lifestyle.

Staff are inspecting the charging status of pure electric buses at the Gongkang Road maintenance station of Hangzhou Bus and Tram Company. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Zongzhi

The low-carbon concept under the "dual carbon" action runs through the entire preparation process of the Hangzhou Asian Games.

"We have broken the traditional viewing mode and adhered to the concept of green competition, with no carbon emissions or fireworks throughout the entire process. The main torch uses green fuel," said Sha Xiaolan, the chief director of the opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Prudent budgeting and squeezing out space for emission reduction are the tasks that the "zero carbon engineers" hired by the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee are pondering every day. The energy consumption data of every lamp, every air conditioner, and every elevator are running rapidly in their minds.

Sensors have been installed in many corners of the 4th and 5th floors of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium. "Zero Carbon Engineer" Lai Hanbin and colleagues divided these two floors into more than 70 areas and collected data on temperature, humidity, lighting, and pedestrian density through the installation of sensors.

These data are real-time transmitted back to the intelligent operation and maintenance platform, calculating the optimal solution that balances energy consumption and comfort, dynamically managing the energy consumption of each area, and achieving precise carbon reduction. "When the system senses that there is enough light, it will turn off a few fewer lights," said Lai Hanbin.

Little by little, converging into light——

The Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center and Swimming Pool have an intelligent light guiding system that guides outdoor natural light into the venue through 210 light guiding pipes on the roof, saving 100000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually;

More than 2000 official service new energy vehicles for the Asian Games and Paralympics will shuttle through multiple scenarios such as the competition venue and the Asian Games Village, providing a green and intelligent travel experience for the Asian Games;

The "all-around" fast charging station in Hangzhou Asian Games Village can charge up to 60 degrees Celsius in 15 minutes, meeting the energy needs of vehicles traveling 400 kilometers

Looking at the domain from now on. In 2022, Zhejiang, as the first national collaborative innovation zone for pollution reduction and carbon reduction, created 6.26% of the country's gross domestic product with 1% of the country's land, 4% of the population, and 4% of carbon dioxide emissions.

The low-carbon practices of the Hangzhou Asian Games will provide a new demonstration for Zhejiang and even the whole country to promote the achievement of the "dual carbon" goals.

Organizing ecological competitions to showcase the concept of "two mountains"

More than 600 years ago, the Yuan Dynasty painter Huang Gongwang lived in seclusion by the banks of the Fuchun River, leaving behind the famous painting "Dwelling in Fuchun Mountain" on this elegant and beautiful waterfront. Time flies, and the river where fishermen paddle and fish in the landscape painting is about to become a arena for athletes to row vigorously.

Strolling around the Fuyang Water Sports Center, the eyes are full of green and the mind is relaxed and happy. On the top floor of the venue, there is an aerial garden that integrates with the surrounding natural landscape. Here, flowers and trees such as European carnation, centennial grass, and roses are planted, not only achieving a greening rate of 45% for the entire venue, but also carbon sequestration, oxygen release, thermal insulation, and reducing rainwater runoff.

Yang Yang, a staff member of State Grid Fuyang District Power Supply Company in Hangzhou, who is "diagnosing" the rainwater recovery system in the venue, said, "After a series of purification treatments, rainwater from the roof is distributed and utilized through pipelines for watering green spaces, atrium water features, and public health flushing."

This is a photo taken on August 24, 2023 at the Fuyang Aquatic Sports Center in Hangzhou. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Yu

The Hangzhou Asian Games not only have a small ecological roof garden. The undulating mountains, flowing water, swaying trees... the local ecosystem is constantly being repaired and improved, and a high-level "big ecology" is being built.

From the coast of the East China Sea to the banks of the Qiantang River, from the Hangzhou Jiahu Plain to the mountainous areas of southwestern Zhejiang, the land of the Zhijiang River is lush with greenery and vitality. Since 2022, Zhejiang has been promoting biodiversity investigation and assessment, and a total of 15 new species have been discovered.

Green is the natural color of ecology and the foundation for high-quality development.

Not long ago, several ambassadors to China were deeply impressed by the Shaoxing Keqiao Yangshan Climbing Center during their visit to Zhejiang. This semi open venue, resembling a silkworm cocoon, is transparent from east to west. Looking to the west, the scenery of Yangshan Stone City is breathtaking, with the artificial rock wall race track and the natural scenery of Yangshan Stone City complementing each other.

Behind the organic integration of modern architecture and natural environment is the touching story of abandoned mines undergoing construction and development, transforming into the international arena of "rock ballet".

On the Kehai Road, not far from the venue, trucks full of fabric flow incessantly: white grey fabric is transported in, and colorful textile fabrics are transported out, scattered downstream in the industrial chain. The traditional industries that once caused damage to the ecological environment are now undergoing a green transformation.

The Zhejiang practice of the concept of "green mountains and clear waters are invaluable assets" was concentrated at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

The Qiandao Blue Water Painting Competition - Chun'an District of the Hangzhou Asian Games is also a scenic spot. Taking advantage of the preparation for the Asian Games, the local area has upgraded and upgraded beautiful villages such as Xiajiang Village, Jieshou Asian Games Town, and Shilin Port Sports Town, linking scenic spots, orchards, tea gardens, and fishing villages into a chain of pearls.

The Jieshou Township in Chun'an County, where the Asian Games sub village is located, has a vast water area and a winding harbor, with a continuous stream of tourists cycling and hiking along the route.

People do not disappoint the mountains, and the green waters and mountains also add luster to the Asian Games.

Nowadays, green mountains and clear waters are not only the "golden calling card" of over 19000 rural areas in Zhejiang, but also the "treasure trove" of sustainable development. With the vigorous development of rural tourism and leisure agriculture, the per capita disposable income of rural residents in Zhejiang has increased from 5431 yuan in 2003 to 37565 yuan in 2022.

Xiajiang Village, Chun'an County, Zhejiang Province, surrounded by green mountains and clear waters. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Weng Xinyang

Harmonious competition and building a "symbiotic" city

In the golden autumn of Hangzhou, a bright "red" is flowing.

More and more Hangzhou citizens and tourists choose to ride public bicycles, with "little red cars" shuttling through the streets and alleys. The Asian Games mascots Cong Cong, Lian Lian, and Chen Chen on the body of the car are particularly prominent, and a strong Asian Games atmosphere fills their faces.

Cycling, online payment... In Hangzhou, many green lifestyles can accumulate carbon credits to offset the carbon emissions generated by the Asian Games and help achieve carbon neutrality during the Games. As of now, over 100 million people have participated in the "1 kilogram per person, helping to achieve carbon neutrality in the Asian Games" activity.

This mega city with a population of millions surrounded by green mountains and clear waters is exploring ways for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

In the northwest of Hangzhou, Xixi National Wetland Park features wooden paddles paddling the water, rain hitting the lake surface, wind blowing bamboo leaves, and birds chirping. According to over a decade of continuous biodiversity monitoring records, the Xixi Wetland currently has 1040 species of vascular plants, 911 species of insects, and 203 species of birds, including various national first-class protected animals such as the blue headed diving duck and white tailed sea eagle.

"Returning the scenery of clear water, green shores, and fish soaring on the shallow bottom to the people" and "retaining the idyllic scenery of birds singing and flowers for the people"... Taking advantage of the east wind of the Asian Games, the ecological picture is unfolding one by one.

This is the scenery of Xixi Wetland in Hangzhou, taken on January 31, 2023. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jiang Han

Flowers fill Hangzhou city, fragrance floats in the Asian Games. "We have regulated the flowering period of Hangzhou's characteristic plants, such as osmanthus, lotus, rose, etc., fully leveraging our technological advantages, and making every effort to ensure that 'a hundred flowers bloom', presenting the best state to friends from all over the world." In the view of Cheng Erping, Director of the Landscape and Greening Department of the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Landscape Cultural Relics, when improving the green landscape, Hangzhou should adhere to nature on the one hand, and reflect the characteristics of the landscape garden city on the other hand.

During the Asian Games, more than 120 new and renovated parks were built in Hangzhou, with a total of over 260 kilometers of subway greening and over 50 kilometers of expressway greening construction completed. Over 30000 new roadside trees and roadside trees were planted. The curtain is about to open, and the Asian Flower Theme Park on the banks of the Qiantang River has officially opened, with over 200 types of flowers competing to bloom.

Multiple Asian Games co hosting cities in Zhejiang province are launching environmental optimization and improvement actions——

Citizens who often exercise in the Wuzhou Park in Jinhua have recently discovered that there are more exquisite bird nests on the trees. These tops are designed as slopes or circular bird nests with various shapes, made of natural materials. Since the launch of the "Thousand Bird's Nests Welcoming the Asian Games" campaign in the local area, more than 2000 artificial bird's nests and feeders have been installed;

At Longzhou Lake in Wenzhou, a team of algae prevention and control experts from Wenzhou University combined ultrasonic technology with traditional algae removal techniques to effectively improve the water quality of the river's algae blooms.

The picture shows the Wenzhou Dragon Boat Sports Center, which will host the Asian Games dragon boat competition. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wei Yijun

By the way of nature, nurture the birth of all things.

The integration of heaven and man and the cultivation of all things are important manifestations of Chinese civilization. Chinese path to modernization is a modernization in which man and nature coexist in harmony.

Starting from the "Green Asian Games" and following the path of ecological priority and green development, we will continue to advance towards the sustainable development of the Chinese nation.