Environmental problems in China have come under the spotlight in recent years. As the country's economic growth continues at high speed the environment has become an urgent priority. Government officials, businessmen and scientific researchers gathered in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss environmental protection issues in China and to showcase the latest related products.

Changing the means of economic development and promoting scientific development has been a fundamental policy in China since President Hu Jintao took office. Environmental protection has been of the highest priority in the government's work. It's made great progress through years' of effort.

Zhou Shengxian, Minister of Ministry of Environmental Protection, said, "We have already finished the task of pollution reduction, one year ahead of plan."

The minister is optimistic about the future. But he admits environmental protection is a complicated job that needs the cooperation of many government departments, as well as whole levels of local authorities.

Environmental protection is crucial to China's sustainable development and it is also an immediate issue that effects the quality of life and people's health. As China's economy grows rapidly, its environmental protection work needs to keep pace.

After a quick and simple processing operation, dirty liquid has been changed to purified drinkable water. This advanced cleansing water machine was one of the cutting-edge products on show on Wednesday.

Liu Yamin, director of Environmental Proection Bureau, Wuxi City,said, "Over the last few years we have witnessed the important and fast development of the environmental protection industry. Many advanced products have emerged one after the other."

Highly skilled workers are needed to bring advanced technology. Attracting high-level human resources to environmental protection is also an urgent task for the government. But apparently, its efforts are working well.

Huang Tao, general manager of Sento-tech PTY LTD,said, "The government has provided us with great support. It gives me a 100 meter square office for free use for three years, 1 million yuan for my family to settle down, and another 1 million to launch my environmental protection business."

Environmental protection is a long-term matter. For China, the work is even more complicated. But with the cooperation of government departments, local authorities, professional staff, and even ordinary people in China, the country is set to finally find a sustainable way of protecting the environment at low cost, with low emissions and high profit.

(CNTV.cn September 17, 2010)