An aerial drone photo taken on March 29, 2024 shows a view of Dazhou Village of Rong'an County, Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo by Yu Xiangquan/Xinhua)

I come from Ghana, and over the past two years, I pursued my graduate studies in China. During that period, I traveled to many parts of the country, and what struck me most was how a nation developing at such remarkable speed has managed to preserve such pristine mountains, rivers and landscapes.

Earlier this year, I joined fellow students on a field trip to south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In Rong'an county, Liuzhou city, the crystal-clear waters of the Rongjiang River and the lush natural scenery along its banks left a deep impression on me.

I later learned that, due to extensive river regulation measures and ecological restoration efforts, the section of the Rongjiang River that flows through Rong'an has consistently ranked first nationwide in surface water quality for five consecutive years. The county's forest coverage has also reached about 80%. In conversations with local residents, the happiness and contentment they expressed were genuinely enviable.

In recent years, regions across China have embraced the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," achieving remarkable results.

Over time, China has implemented a range of innovative approaches that offer valuable lessons for other countries. One such initiative is the "river chief" system, under which government and Party officials at various administrative levels serve as designated river chiefs. They are responsible for overseeing the management and protection of specific rivers and lakes, and are held accountable for ensuring water quality, controlling pollution and achieving overall environmental outcomes. River governance in Africa is equally complex, and I hope this model can be introduced to the continent as well.

China has also pioneered low-cost solar-powered water filtration systems that could significantly improve water access in the world's most arid regions. It would also contribute to improving water conditions in the drought-affected regions of Africa.

In addition, China's large-scale reforestation and biodiversity programs exemplify its long-term commitment to combating environmental degradation, an approach that offers meaningful insights for global environmental governance.

Today, the world stands at a critical moment as environmental degradation and climate change threaten the very foundation of human civilization and economic prosperity. The global water crisis is also particularly alarming. According to a joint report released by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund in August, 2025, one in four – or 2.1 billion people globally – still lack access to safely managed drinking water, including 106 million who drink directly from untreated surface sources. These challenges cut deepest across the Global South, where large populations rely heavily on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods.

Against this backdrop, China's "two mountains" concept offers valuable lessons for global environmental governance. By successfully lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty while implementing environmental reforms, China has demonstrated that ecological protection and poverty reduction can be pursued simultaneously. A particularly compelling aspect of this approach is its ability to transform ecological conservation into an economic asset. Investments in restoring ecosystems have yielded significant returns. For instance, eco-tourism has been gaining momentum across China. In 2024, the country recorded 2.761 billion eco-tourism visits, contributing tens of billions of U.S. dollars to economic growth. The sector has also created a growing number of jobs.

While China's environmental governance model offers a powerful and relevant blueprint, it is essential to acknowledge that every region faces its own unique set of challenges. A pragmatic approach must account for the significant differences in political and economic structures, implementation capacity, and ecological conditions between China and other regions. For instance, a solution tailored for the watersheds of the Yangtze River cannot be directly applied to address desertification in the Sahel or water scarcity in the Horn of Africa without adaptation. I've seen that, backed by national policies, institutions and legal safeguards, regions across China are implementing the "two mountains" concept in their own ways. In the end, the most effective approach is always the one tailored to local conditions.

Standing by the banks of the Rongjiang River, I saw not just China's success story, but the broader possibilities for global environmental governance. Ultimately, shaping a sustainable future requires choosing long-term prosperity over short-term gain and recognizing that our most invaluable assets are, indeed, our lucid waters and lush mountains. China's experience has opened new perspectives for the Global South and for the world at large.