Inclusive, representative

Experts said the founding of the group reflects China's environmental protection efforts and is also a measure to contribute to the country's carbon peak and neutrality goals, which are both intended to protect natural resources and safeguard the nation's energy security.

As an important channel for consultative democracy, the CPPCC has adapted to the times by launching the new group, which also reflects the body's inclusive and representative nature, they said.

Wang Xiaohong, a professor of united front theory at the Central Institute of Socialism, said: "The scientific group arrangement of the CPPCC embodies the socialist democracy of China. The arrangement of the participating groups is changing to make the advisory body inclusive, extensive and scientific." She added that the group has been included to help implement Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization.

She said that the establishment of the group also reflects one of the five characteristics of Chinese-style modernization as mapped out at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China: the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

"By bringing together experts on the environment and natural resources in the group, they can promote the country's high-quality development," she added.

Yang Zhongqi, chief expert at the Chinese Academy of Forestry, said the launching of the group is timely and necessary so the expert advisers can focus on related topics because China is in an important period of pursuing green development in all aspects.

The major and urgent challenge ahead is to realize the carbon peak and neutrality goals, Yang said, adding that this aim is expected to be the group's focus in future surveys and proposals.