A visitor wears a mask outside the Forbidden City due to heavy air pollution. (Photo : Reuters)
The Internet age has spawned the EAT principles of the Google search-engine behemoth: Expertise, Authority and Trustworthiness.
In such a context, it is those authors who are willing to draw on the insight gained from personal experiences, and who use it in combination with a respect of transparency, that have emerged the winners with high traffic results. On Wednesday, the Global Times joined the ranks of the EAT-worthy.
Using an interview with 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference member Wang Wenbiao, who is also the chairman of Elion Resources Group, the publication's editorial reinforced the impact of the Chinese president's January comments, in which he compared the environment to the sanctity of the human body.
After touring the Yunnan Province, President Xi vocalized a firm commitment to regaining harmony with China's environment after decades of rapid growth, and, echoing the Chinese leader's sentiment, Wang referred to the Kubuqi Desert region.
The Kubuqi Desert might not be at the forefront of people's minds when they envisage China, but even if it is well-known to someone, that person might not be aware of the area's history.
In his interview with the Global Times' Yu Jincui, Wang enlightens the world to a part of Inner Mongolia that was once ravaged by sandstorms for decades, whereby "every meal was mixed with sand" during his childhood.
However, Wang explains that desertification control over nearly 30 years transformed a "formerly barren" Kubuqi Desert into "a green paradise."
When the CPPCC member assures his people that "confidence and patience" are the key ingredients for the effective curbing of smog, they will find it difficult to doubt his words due to the passing of time that he has witnessed.
Wang's history in China is one in which a barely inhabitable desert "has become an eco-economic zone" that has produced "over 30 billion yuan ($4.7 million) worth of GDP."
Larry Page will surely be impressed, but, more importantly, can the Chinese people use such inspiration for their own benefit?
