The first Qiandao Lake Forum is held on Nov 9. The forum aims to help preserve Qiandao Lake and promote the construction of the Chun'an Special Ecological Function Area, which was proposed by the Zhejiang Provincial Government in September. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

A think tank was founded at the first Qiandao Lake Forum on Nov 9 to help preserve the lake's ecosystem and promote the construction of the Chun’an Special Ecological Function Area, proposed by the Zhejiang Provincial Government in September. 

The forum was part of the ongoing Hangzhou International Human Resource Exchange and Cooperation Conference, which started on Nov 9 and will run until Nov 24. 

The think tank consisted of 18 scholars and experts including Pan Yunhe, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Jiang Guibin, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

It is becoming increasingly necessary to preserve Qiandao Lake, which is located in Chun’an county, Hangzhou, as the lake became a water source for Hangzhou residents in late September, an official said. 

Rajendra Shende, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, was also appointed as a member of the think tank at the opening ceremony of the conference. He called for the adoption of international practices to preserve the water quality of Qiandao Lake. 

Jiang Guibin suggested that an institute on the water quality of Qiandao Lake be established, emphasizing the need to protect Qiandao Lake just as West Lake is protected.

Officials said that the Qiandao Lake Think Tank aims to become a national high-level think tank within three years in order to boost construction of the Chun'an Special Ecological Function Area.

The forum lasted three days, and included two parallel seminars.

A ceremony is held during the first Qiandao Lake Forum on Nov 9 in which members are appointed to the Chun'an Special Ecological Function Area High-end Think Tank. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

An aerial view of Qiandao Lake [Photo/VCG]