QINGDAO, China – The Beautiful China Environment Forum, an environmental protection event organized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China, the China Forum of Environmental Journalists and C-SR.net, successfully held its third meeting of 2015 in Qingdao recently. The forum, sponsored by PPG Industries, attracted more than 100 participants including officials from the field of environmental protection, representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), management of related enterprises, and journalists representing mainstream media.

Public awareness and involvement in environmental protection improved significantly following the January 1, 2015, implementation of the updated Environmental Protection Law and the September 1, 2015, implementation of the Measure on Public Participation in Environmental Protection. Themed “Environment Protection and Public Participation,” the forum focused on the role of the public in protecting China’s environment. Mr. Liu Guozheng, Secretary-General of the China Forum of Environmental Journalists, and Mr. Yang Mingsen, President of China Environment News, delivered keynote speeches at the event.

Mr. Milton Chen, PPG General Manager, Protective and Marine Coatings, Greater China, addressed the forum as a representative of the business community. In line with PPG's values and goals related to sustainable development, Chen showcased how PPG’s high-quality, innovative and sustainable coatings solutions help protect customers’ critical assets while highlighting their benefits in saving energy, reducing VOC emissions, and minimizing environmental footprint. He also introduced sustainability efforts being undertaken by PPG’s diversified business lines and the commitment to helping build a beautiful China.

“Environmental pollution has become an increasingly prominent issue in China,” Chen said. “As corporate citizens, we should make our contribution to protecting our planet and beautifying the environment. The Beautiful China Environment Forum, where some of the top minds in the field of environmental protection gather, enables us to exchange ideas and showcase sustainable best practices. PPG will continue to implement its sustainable-development strategy in its business operations.”