On September 8, 2011, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi attended and addressed the opening ceremony of a high-level symposium on the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

Yang introduced China's proposals on the UNCSD to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next year, based on the situation and challenges facing the current process of international sustainable development. The Conference presents an important opportunity for the international community to work out a global strategy for sustainable development, Yang said. The international community should make joint efforts to push the Conference to fully review the progress of sustainable development since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, reinforce political will, implement various commitments and work out programs of action so as to advance global sustainable development process in a comprehensive manner. Yang emphasized that the Conference and its preparations should follow the spirit and principles set forth in the Rio Declaration, advance three pillars of sustainable development in a balanced and coordinated manner, respect the independent choices of countries regarding sustainable development, uphold the principle of building broad partnerships and pay particular attention to meeting the concerns of developing countries. Foreign Minister Yang also briefed on China's efforts to promote sustainable development and actively participate in preparations for the Conference next year.

Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Ping, United Nations Under-Secretary-General Sha Zukang, Ambassador Jorge Arguello, the Permanent Representative to the UN of Argentina, which takes over Group of 77 chairmanship and Ambassador Markus Ederer, head of the Delegation of the European Union to China, attended the opening ceremony and made speeches.

The symposium was held by China to prepare for the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. It drew nearly 200 participants including representatives from about 30 countries, over 10 international organizations and academic institutions as well as Chinese and foreign well-known experts and scholars. Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hailong chaired the opening ceremony of the symposium.