亲历改革开放，见证美丽中国

武汉,这座城市有着九省通衢的地理优势，历经百年荆楚文化底蕴洗礼

初次踏上这片神奇的东方热土是在2005年，而今故地重游已是十余载后。悠然逝去的岁月间不变的是改革的决心，而从未懈怠的却是发展的脚步。在中国特色社会主义旗帜的引领下，历经40年改革开放后的中国不仅站在了世界舞台的中央，同时也在多难兴邦的践行中实现着中华民族复兴的伟大梦想。

初到中国时正值全国进入以经济建设为中心的时代浪潮，上海作为中国对外贸易的门户，已呈现出国际大都市的繁荣景象。拥有“中华商业第一街”美誉的南京路步行街汇集了数百家现代化商厦及中华老字号商铺，是当时中国最大的零售商品集散地和商业信息总汇。南京路以其华美的建筑、林立的店铺、繁华的街市及灯光璀璨的夜景吸引着世界的目光，同时也谱写出经济蓬勃发展的辉煌乐章。另一让我记忆犹新之处便是著名的上海外滩建筑群。经过百余年的积淀，这些古典主义与现代风格兼容的建筑已成为上海的象征。无论是极目远眺或是徜徉其间，中国银行大楼、和平饭店、海关大楼及汇丰银行大楼散发出的刚健、雄浑的气势仿佛将昔日“远东华尔街”的风采娓娓道来。外滩的故事就是上海的故事，那一座座林立的楼宇，正讲述着上海滩如梦般繁华的往事。行走于车水马龙的街头，看着步履匆匆的路人，是他们的勤劳和智慧不断给这个城市注入生机与活力。此外，无论是在公园或是地铁，你总能瞥见手拿报纸或书籍的阅读者专注的眼神，在这个信息爆炸的时代，他们渴望与这个世界联通。知识是第一生产力：掌握新鲜资讯能让你对未知的事物产生探索的欲望，回顾经典使我们免于在前进的道路上重蹈覆辙。一个勤于阅读的群体是这个民族的脊梁和希望。

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.

走出上海这座充满了浓郁现代气息的城市，我来到了集政治、经济、文化中心为一体的北京。都说不到长城非好汉，此言果然不虚。依偎在久经战火洗礼的城墙之上，轻抚那些许的断壁残垣，听着耳畔呼啸而过的疾风，仿佛回到了那个兵荒马乱的年代，感受到各路英雄逐鹿中原的血雨腥风。离开历史的古迹，转身投入于高楼林立的CBD商圈之中，我真切地感受到中国在改革开放政策引导下翻天覆地的变化。加入世贸组织为中国经济带来了更多机会，对外贸易发展迅速，利用外资成效显著。中外合资不再让人仰目，它不过是正常的贸易渠道而已；境外投资也不再神秘，这只是拓展海外市场的途径。在“走出去、引进来”的政策指引下，经济发展迅速，人民幸福指数不断提升。

另一个不容小觑的后起之秀便是武汉。这座城市有着九省通衢的地理优势，历经百年荆楚文化底蕴洗礼。在中国梦的引领下，武汉也将城市复兴作为其发展目标。武汉市政府积极响应国家号召，推进产业技术转型，坚持创新驱动，积极培育战略新兴产业，从而形成了光谷、汉阳两大产业园区。随着轨道交通1号线的正式运营，武汉成为华中地区首个拥有地铁的城市。截至2017年，武汉地铁已有5条线路交付使用，其运营总里程约200公里。此外，3条有轨电车与公交、地铁的无缝对接极大缓解了城市的交通压力，将武汉三镇及全市七个中心城区整体串联。另一方面，随着改革逐步推进，武汉的城市生态文明建设也被提上日程。现已建成开放的东湖绿道将生态修复作为考量重点，让市民享受“世界级慢生活”。另一个大自然的恩赐是金银湖湿地公园，其存在对于调节微气候，减少城市热岛效应，改善城市环境具有重要意义。“每天不一样”的武汉正是中国发展版图上的一个缩影。

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，再次回到中国时恰逢中国共产党第十八次全国代表大会的召开，这一次中国政府已将生态文明建设放在了突出地位，并提出将其融入经济建设、政治建设、文化建设及社会建设各方面。西方发达国家的经济发展模式给了中国很好的借鉴，通过掠夺式资源开发、不可逆性破坏生态平衡换取的经济利益不过是昙花一现，一旦突破自然的底线，将产生不可预估的风险。将节约资源和保护环境定为基本国策，着力推进绿色发展、循环发展、低碳发展，努力建设美丽中国，实现中华民族永续发展。这种转变不仅是制度的创新，更是人文情怀的体现。

现阶段中国的发展目标不是简单追求GDP的高速增长，而是要建设人与自然和谐共生的现代化，正如习近平总书记指出的,“既要金山银山，又要绿水青山”“绿水青山就是金山银山”。随着政府部门对环境问题的日益重视，相关法律法规相继出台。在大气污染防治方面，坚持全民共治、源头防治，打赢蓝天保卫战。通过对流域环境和近域海岸综合治理处理水体污染。在土壤污染监管和修复方面，加强农业面源污染防治。

我本人致力于世界不同国家分析实验室的合作及构建实验室社会化服务网络布局，并为客户制定系统的解决方案。在中国政府大力倡导生态文明建设的时代背景下，我通过武汉市外国专家局引智项目进一步深化了与武汉市农业科学院一禾生态环境检测中心的合作。在为期三个月的来华工作期间，我了解到农业面源污染治理仍然任重而道远，尤其土壤污染成因复杂，主要包括重金属、有机农药等，且部分还涉及与工业的交叉污染。因此，借助第三方检测平台专业的测试，经综合分析后提供相应的解决方案，将成为今后污染治理的重要途径。

自中共十七大以来，中国政府强调科学发展的理念，将可持续发展落到实处，把建设资源节约型、环境友好型社会放在工业化、现代化发展战略的突出位置。十年磨一剑，如今的生态文明建设已初见成效。建设美丽中国的宏伟蓝图已经展开，我相信，未来在中共十九大报告精神的指导下，中国梦会逐步落地生根，开出满树繁花！（本文作者Steven Michael Mullins 是Labnet实验室集团董事长、首席运营官兼高级工程师。他在科技创新、实验室分析技术以及快速分析操作方面经验丰富。他致力于世界不同国家实验室的合作，并与美国QAL质量分析实验室、巴拿马Aquatec水质分析实验室及巴西的环境监测实验室建立合作。）