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Imagine swapping embassy life for a mountain village in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. That’s exactly what Patrick Nijs, former Belgian ambassador to China, did – and he’s now on a mission to protect the planet.
From Diplomacy to Sustainability
Nijs first arrived in China in 1997, later serving as ambassador until 2013. But instead of returning home, he chose to stay in the Chinese mainland, dedicating himself to environmental causes. \\"China’s ecological transformation is one of humanity’s greatest stories,\\" he told CGTN’s Michael Wang in a recent interview.
Mountain Life, Global Vision
From his Yunnan base, Nijs works on biodiversity projects and promotes cross-cultural environmental dialogue. He highlights China’s \\"Green Wall\\" anti-desertification initiative and renewable energy push: \\"The scale here changes what’s possible globally.\\"
Building Eco-Bridges
The ex-diplomat now focuses on connecting Eastern and Western approaches to sustainability: \\"We need less finger-pointing, more collaboration. China’s solutions could benefit everyone.\\" His next goal? Creating platforms for young environmentalists worldwide to share ideas.
