Expats pose before the slogan of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" at Jimingshan Community in Yiwu, Zhejiang province on Aug 13. [Photo/WeChat account: yiwuwaishi]

Yiwu in East China's Zhejiang province is offering expats lectures on garbage sorting measures and environmental protection efforts under the Chinese concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

On Aug 13, expats from eight counties, including the United States, Sweden, and India, gathered at Yiwu's Jimingshan Community for a lecture on protecting the environment in one's daily life, especially when it comes to garbage sorting and resources recycling.

The lecture was presented by the municipal foreign affairs office, local environmental protection authorities, Yiwu Industrial & Commercial College, and Jimingshan Community to promote the city's garbage sorting practices and the Chinese concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

The idea reflects China's governmental philosophy in pursuing the synergy between economic development and environmental protection. It has been translated into the practice of the building of an ecological civilization as part of the country's development strategy.

Expats visit garbage sorting sites and disposal facilities after the lecture on Aug 13. [Photo/WeChat account: yiwuwaishi]

In the country's small-commodity hub of Yiwu, it has been a common scene that expats are contributing their efforts and wisdom to the city's development and social governance.

Many of them have also taken part in community activities. Some have even been hired as "street chiefs" along with local residents to patrol areas to see if there are any environmental or traffic issues.

Expats help remove garbage along a river. [Photo/zgyww.cn]