China is willing to work with all countries to facilitate the sustainable development of the global bamboo and rattan industry, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said.

This will be China's way to contribute to furthering South-South cooperation, implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and building a clean and beautiful world, Li said in a congratulatory letter to the first Global Bamboo and Rattan Congress, which opened Monday in Beijing. Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Hao Mingjin, Deputy Director of the People’s Deputies House of the Ethiopian Federal Parliament Minaret and International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation(INBAR)  Hans Friederich attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

China had always paid high attention to the building of an ecological civilization, practiced the concept of green development, and advocated the harmonious coexistence of man and nature, the premier said.

While all countries pursue comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development, bamboo and rattan resources have played a unique role in reducing poverty, improving people's livelihoods, developing the green economy and coping with climate change, he said.

Themed "Enhancing South-South Cooperation for Green Development through Bamboo and Rattan's Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals," the congress has established an important platform for dialogue and exchanges among participant countries, he said.

Li said he believed that the congress would push forward global protection and use of bamboo and rattan resources and facilitate sustainable development.