親歷改革開放，見證美麗中國

武漢,這座城市有著九省通衢的地理優勢，歷經百年荊楚文化底蘊洗禮

初次踏上這片神奇的東方熱土是在2005年，而今故地重游已是十余載后。悠然逝去的歲月間不變的是改革的決心，而從未懈怠的卻是發展的腳步。在中國特色社會主義旗幟的引領下，歷經40年改革開放后的中國不僅站在了世界舞臺的中央，同時也在多難興邦的踐行中實現著中華民族復興的偉大夢想。

初到中國時正值全國進入以經濟建設為中心的時代浪潮，上海作為中國對外貿易的門戶，已呈現出國際大都市的繁榮景象。擁有“中華商業第一街”美譽的南京路步行街匯集了數百家現代化商廈及中華老字號商鋪，是當時中國最大的零售商品集散地和商業信息總匯。南京路以其華美的建筑、林立的店鋪、繁華的街市及燈光璀璨的夜景吸引著世界的目光，同時也譜寫出經濟蓬勃發展的輝煌樂章。另一讓我記憶猶新之處便是著名的上海外灘建筑群。經過百余年的積淀，這些古典主義與現代風格兼容的建筑已成為上海的象征。無論是極目遠眺或是徜徉其間，中國銀行大樓、和平飯店、海關大樓及匯豐銀行大樓散發出的剛健、雄渾的氣勢仿佛將昔日“遠東華爾街”的風采娓娓道來。外灘的故事就是上海的故事，那一座座林立的樓宇，正講述著上海灘如夢般繁華的往事。行走于車水馬龍的街頭，看著步履匆匆的路人，是他們的勤勞和智慧不斷給這個城市注入生機與活力。此外，無論是在公園或是地鐵，你總能瞥見手拿報紙或書籍的閱讀者專注的眼神，在這個信息爆炸的時代，他們渴望與這個世界聯通。知識是第一生產力：掌握新鮮資訊能讓你對未知的事物產生探索的欲望，回顧經典使我們免于在前進的道路上重蹈覆轍。一個勤于閱讀的群體是這個民族的脊梁和希望。

The first time I set foot on this magical oriental hot spot was in 2005,and it has been more than a decade since the current visit. What has remained unchanged throughout the years is the determination of reforms while what has never slackened is the pace of development.Guided by the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, China not only stands at the center of the world stage after 4 decades of reform and opening up, but also realizes the great dream of rejuvenation of the nation in the practice of more prosperous states.

China was in the critical period of economic development when I first came to this nation. Shanghai, as a gateway to China’s foreign trade,has already shown the prosperity of international metropolises. Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, which is known as “China’s First Commercial Street,” brings together hundreds of modern commercial buildings and old shops, making it the largest retail commodity distribution center and commercial information hub in China. Nanjing Road attracts the attention of the world with its gorgeous buildings, numerous shops, bustling markets and brilliant night scenes. At the same time, it also presents the rapid development of economy. Another thing I still remember is the famous Shanghai Bund complex which contains both classic and modern styles. These buildings with a history over 100 years have been taken as the symbol of Shanghai. Whether it’s a farsighted view or a long journey, the vigorous momentum emanating from the Bank of China, Peace Hotel, Customs House and the HSBC Bank seems to have evoked the ambition of the “Wall Street in the East”. The story of the Bund is the story of Shanghai. The towering buildings are telling the story of the bustling past about Shanghai. When watching the rushing passers-by in the busy streets, it’s their diligence and wisdom bring vitality into the city. In addition, you can always catch a glimpse of readers holding newspapers or books when in the park or on the subway. In the age of information explosion, they are eager to connect with the world. Knowledge is the primary productive force: grasping fresh information gives you the desire to explore unknown things. Reviewing the classics saves us from making mistakes in the future. A diligent reading group is the backbone and hope of this nation.

走出上海這座充滿了濃郁現代氣息的城市，我來到了集政治、經濟、文化中心為一體的北京。都說不到長城非好漢，此言果然不虛。依偎在久經戰火洗禮的城墻之上，輕撫那些許的斷壁殘垣，聽著耳畔呼嘯而過的疾風，仿佛回到了那個兵荒馬亂的年代，感受到各路英雄逐鹿中原的血雨腥風。離開歷史的古跡，轉身投入于高樓林立的CBD商圈之中，我真切地感受到中國在改革開放政策引導下翻天覆地的變化。加入世貿組織為中國經濟帶來了更多機會，對外貿易發展迅速，利用外資成效顯著。中外合資不再讓人仰目，它不過是正常的貿易渠道而已；境外投資也不再神秘，這只是拓展海外市場的途徑。在“走出去、引進來”的政策指引下，經濟發展迅速，人民幸福指數不斷提升。

另一個不容小覷的后起之秀便是武漢。這座城市有著九省通衢的地理優勢，歷經百年荊楚文化底蘊洗禮。在中國夢的引領下，武漢也將城市復興作為其發展目標。武漢市政府積極響應國家號召，推進產業技術轉型，堅持創新驅動，積極培育戰略新興產業，從而形成了光谷、漢陽兩大產業園區。隨著軌道交通1號線的正式運營，武漢成為華中地區首個擁有地鐵的城市。截至2017年，武漢地鐵已有5條線路交付使用，其運營總里程約200公里。此外，3條有軌電車與公交、地鐵的無縫對接極大緩解了城市的交通壓力，將武漢三鎮及全市七個中心城區整體串聯。另一方面，隨著改革逐步推進，武漢的城市生態文明建設也被提上日程。現已建成開放的東湖綠道將生態修復作為考量重點，讓市民享受“世界級慢生活”。另一個大自然的恩賜是金銀湖濕地公園，其存在對于調節微氣候，減少城市熱島效應，改善城市環境具有重要意義?！懊刻觳灰粯印钡奈錆h正是中國發展版圖上的一個縮影。

Stepping out of Shanghai, a city full of modern atmosphere, I stepped into Beijing, where politics, economy and culture were integrated.The old saying goes that it’s a huge regret if you have never been to the Great Wall. Relying on the walls of the war-torn baptism, stroking the walls of the wreckage and listening to the whistling winds, as if returning to the time of the turmoil and feeling the bloodshed of the heroes in the Central Plains. Departing from historical monuments and turning to the high-rise CBD business district, I truly felt the changes in China led by the reform and opening up policy. The measures taken to join the WTO have provided more opportunities for Chinese economy. Foreign trade has developed rapidly and the use offoreign capital has achieved remarkable results. Sino-foreign joint ventures are no longer eye-catching but a normal trade channel. Overseas investment is no longer mysterious but a way to expand overseas markets. Under the stimulation of “going out and bringing in” strategy, the economy has grown exponentially and the happiness index of the people has continued to rise.

Another rising star which can’t be underestimated is Wuhan. This city shows huge geographical advantage and has been nourished by Jingchu culture for 100 years. Following the “Chinese dream”, Wuhan also regards the urban revival as its development goal. The Wuhan municipal government actively responded to the policy of the country by promoting the transformation of industrial technology, adhering to the drive of innovation, and cultivating strategic emerging industries, thus forming the two major industrial parks of Optics Valley and Hanyang.With the formal operation of Rail Transit Line 1, Wuhan became the first city in Central China to have a subway. Wuhan Metro has already delivered five lines and its total operating mileage is about 200 kilometers by 2017. Additionally, the seamless connection of three trams with buses and subways has greatly eased the pressure on the city’s traffic,connecting the three central towns of Wuhan and the city’s seven central districts. On the other hand, with the gradual progress of the reform, the proposal of urban ecological civilization construction has also been brought on the agenda. The East Lake Greenway has been built to take ecological restoration as a key consideration and allow citizens to enjoy a “world-class slow life”. Another gift of nature is the Jinyinhu Wetland Park. Its existence is of great significance in regulating the microclimate, reducing the urban heat island effect and improving the urban environment. Wuhan, being different every day, is a microcosm of China’s development.

I returned to this country 10 years later when it coincides with the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. This time, the Chinese government has placed ecological civilization construction in a prominent position and proposed integrating it into economic, politics,cultural and social construction in all aspects. The economic development model of Western developed countries has given China a good example. The economic bene fits gained through excessive exploitation of resources and the irreversible destroy of ecological balance are just a flash in the pan. It will cause unpredictable risks once the natural bottom line is broken. They have set resources conservation and environmental protection as the basic national policy, focused on promoting green development, recycling development, and low-carbon development, and strived to build beautiful China and realize the sustainable development of the nation. This transformation is not only an innovation of the system, but also a manifestation of humanistic feelings.

At this stage, China’s development target is not only about the rapid growth of GDP, but to build a modern country with human-natural harmony. Just as President Jinping Xi said, lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. With increasing attention of government to environmental issues, relevant laws and regulations have been introduced. In the aspect of prevention and control of atmospheric pollution,we must adhere to the principle of common governance and source control to defend the blue sky. Water pollution is dealt with by comprehensive treatment of watershed environment and near shores. In terms of soil pollution supervision and rehabilitation, prevention and control of agricultural non-point source pollution will be strengthened.

I am committed to the cooperation of analytical laboratories in different countries, the establishment of a network of laboratory socialization services and system solutions for clients. Under the background of the Chinese government’s vigorous advocacy of the construction of ecological civilization, I further deepened cooperation with Wuhan Yihe Ecological and Environmental Testing Center through the introduction of intelligence projects by Wuhan Foreign Experts Bureau. During three months of work in China, I learned that agricultural non-point source pollution control still has a long way to go. In particular, the causes of soil pollution are complex, including heavy metals, organic pesticides, etc. and some of them involve cross-contamination with industry. Therefore, the introduction of third-party testing platform with their professional testing and comprehensive analysis to provide the appropriate solutions will become an important way for future pollution control.

Since the 17th National Congress of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese government has emphasized the concept of scienti fic development, implemented sustainable development, and placed a resourceconserving, environment-friendly society in a prominent position for industrialization and modernization. The construction of ecological civilization has achieved initial success after 10 years’ hard work. The magni ficent blueprint for building beautiful China has already begun.Guided by the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the CPC, the Chinese dream will gradually come into reality in the future!

10年后，再次回到中國時恰逢中國共產黨第十八次全國代表大會的召開，這一次中國政府已將生態文明建設放在了突出地位，并提出將其融入經濟建設、政治建設、文化建設及社會建設各方面。西方發達國家的經濟發展模式給了中國很好的借鑒，通過掠奪式資源開發、不可逆性破壞生態平衡換取的經濟利益不過是曇花一現，一旦突破自然的底線，將產生不可預估的風險。將節約資源和保護環境定為基本國策，著力推進綠色發展、循環發展、低碳發展，努力建設美麗中國，實現中華民族永續發展。這種轉變不僅是制度的創新，更是人文情懷的體現。

現階段中國的發展目標不是簡單追求GDP的高速增長，而是要建設人與自然和諧共生的現代化，正如習近平總書記指出的,“既要金山銀山，又要綠水青山”“綠水青山就是金山銀山”。隨著政府部門對環境問題的日益重視，相關法律法規相繼出臺。在大氣污染防治方面，堅持全民共治、源頭防治，打贏藍天保衛戰。通過對流域環境和近域海岸綜合治理處理水體污染。在土壤污染監管和修復方面，加強農業面源污染防治。

我本人致力于世界不同國家分析實驗室的合作及構建實驗室社會化服務網絡布局，并為客戶制定系統的解決方案。在中國政府大力倡導生態文明建設的時代背景下，我通過武漢市外國專家局引智項目進一步深化了與武漢市農業科學院一禾生態環境檢測中心的合作。在為期三個月的來華工作期間，我了解到農業面源污染治理仍然任重而道遠，尤其土壤污染成因復雜，主要包括重金屬、有機農藥等，且部分還涉及與工業的交叉污染。因此，借助第三方檢測平臺專業的測試，經綜合分析后提供相應的解決方案，將成為今后污染治理的重要途徑。

自中共十七大以來，中國政府強調科學發展的理念，將可持續發展落到實處，把建設資源節約型、環境友好型社會放在工業化、現代化發展戰略的突出位置。十年磨一劍，如今的生態文明建設已初見成效。建設美麗中國的宏偉藍圖已經展開，我相信，未來在中共十九大報告精神的指導下，中國夢會逐步落地生根，開出滿樹繁花！（本文作者Steven Michael Mullins 是Labnet實驗室集團董事長、首席運營官兼高級工程師。他在科技創新、實驗室分析技術以及快速分析操作方面經驗豐富。他致力于世界不同國家實驗室的合作，并與美國QAL質量分析實驗室、巴拿馬Aquatec水質分析實驗室及巴西的環境監測實驗室建立合作。）