China and Laos jointly build a low-carbon demonstration zone

The picture shows a construction site in Saizeta Comprehensive Development Zone, which was taken in Vientiane, Laos on March 7, 2019.

 [Photo by Zhang Jianhua/Xinhua]

From Vientiane, the capital of Laos, it takes about 30 minutes to drive to Saizeta Comprehensive Development Zone. In the park, tropical plants are lush, and roads are clean and flat with beautiful streetlamps on both sides.

Not long ago, 40 sets of photovoltaic smart streetlamps donated by China were installed in the park. According to the plan, 3,000 sets of solar streetlamps will be installed in the development zone. "These lights are energy-saving and environmentally friendly, which improves the environment of the park. On weekends, we often take our children around and tell them about solar power generation, so that they can know more about modern technology and environmental protection." Said Sitthichai, a resident living near the park.

Saizeta Low Carbon Demonstration Zone is a South-South cooperation project carried out by the Chinese and Lao governments relying on Saizeta Comprehensive Development Zone to deal with climate change. It is one of the "Ten Low Carbon Demonstration Zones" cooperation projects carried out by China in developing countries. A few days ago, the unveiling ceremony of the Vientiane Saizeta Low-carbon Demonstration Zone and the delivery ceremony of the new energy vehicle project were held by video, which marked a new stage in the construction of the low-carbon demonstration zone and pushed China-Laos cooperation on climate change to a new level. According to relevant agreements, China has donated new energy buses, trucks, and other materials to the development zone. Statistics show that after the first batch of aided new energy vehicles is put into use, the local carbon emissions can be reduced by about 1,243 tons yearly, equivalent to planting more than 100,000 trees.

"We have mastered the daily use, maintenance and troubleshooting technologies of new energy vehicles, and hope to contribute to the realization of low-carbon transportation in the demonstration area. " staff from the park said. At the beginning of this year, 23 park staff participated in the training of new energy vehicles. "The Saizeta Low Carbon Demonstration Zone Project is a model for Laos and China to jointly cope with climate change. We hope to accumulate valuable experience in low-carbon development in Saizeta and extend it to other regions." Benkan, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Laos, said.

In the corner of the comprehensive development zone, dozens of huge oil storage tanks are arranged neatly. They belong to Laos Petrochemical Co., Ltd., the only oil refining enterprise in Laos. By the end of 2020, the first phase of Laos Petrochemical's refining and chemical project with an annual production capacity of 3 million tons was officially put into operation. The project is jointly invested and constructed by Chinese and Lao enterprises, which not only changes the current situation that Laos relies on imports of refined oil products, but also adopts advanced low-carbon production technology, which greatly reduces carbon emissions.

"Saizeta Low Carbon Demonstration Zone is a good project, which has made great contributions to the development of green economy in Laos and brought tangible benefits to the Lao people. It is hoped that Laos and China will continue to strengthen cooperation in low carbon development, further expand the influence of low-carbon projects in Lao society and benefit more people." Song Ma, vice chairman of the Lao National Assembly, said that the Lao government hopes to continue to deepen strategic docking with China in the future, expand pragmatic cooperation, jointly promote the construction of low-carbon demonstration zones, and provide experience for the low-carbon development of national comprehensive development zones along the "The belt and road initiative".

Source: <http://world.people.com.cn/n1/2022/0617/c1002-32448661.html>

Translated by Zhang Yuxi