On World Environment Day (June 5th), the Yuexiu district of Guangzhou hosted the main promotional event themed "Comprehensive Green Transition for a Beautiful China," concurrently featuring the 15th-anniversary exhibition of the "Picturesque Flower City, Stunning Yuexiu" Environmental Comic Contest for Primary and Middle School Students at the Guangzhou Yuexiu Library.

"Kapok Boat Drifts into the Picturesque Yuexiu", an artwork by Feng Jiawei, a first-grader at Dongfengdong Road Primary School, took home the First Prize in the district's environmental comic contest. In the drawing, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, a Guangzhou landmark, is enveloped in misty rain. An ant, using a crimson kapok petal as a canoe, paddles leisurely across a lake that reflects the hall's blue roof tiles and red pillars. "I want to tell everyone to care for the environment so that animals, plants, and nature can live in harmony," Feng said.

A piece by Zhu Pinyan, a fourth-grader at Bingzheng Primary School, depicts a massive ancient kapok tree. A smart monitoring screen is mounted on its trunk, robotic arms are busy watering and fertilizing it, and drones hover above on patrol. "I hope to use smart technology to guard the ancient and renowned trees in our community, ensuring they thrive alongside the Flower City," Zhu noted. In his daily life, Zhu actively practices garbage sorting, conserves water and electricity, and cherishes every plant around him.

These children were not simply carrying out environmental tasks "assigned" by their teachers. During the interviews, they took the initiative to mention the "little things" they routinely do: turning off lights and faucets, sorting trash, and reminding classmates to stay off the grass. The comic contest acts as a planted seed, while the rich soil of their everyday lives allows it to sprout naturally.

In recent years, Yuexiu District has steadfastly adhered to its strategic commitment to prioritizing ecology and green development. Its air quality has consistently achieved its best historical levels, Donghao Chong has been listed among the provincial-level beautiful rivers and lakes, and its centralized medical waste collection system for small healthcare facilities has been selected as a typical case of a zero-waste city for international promotion. Additionally, Yuexiu has become one of the province's first districts to be included in the global Cities With Nature initiative. The ecological backdrop of this historic district is growing ever more pristine and vibrant.

这场办了15年的环保漫画大赛，藏着孩子们眼中的绿色未来

六五环境日，广州市越秀区“全面绿色转型，共建美丽中国”主场宣传活动暨“山水花城·越秀越美”中小学生环保漫画大赛十五周年成果展，在越秀区图书馆展出。

东风东路小学一年级学生冯嘉维的作品《木棉舟行处，越秀入画来》获得越秀区中小学生环保漫画大赛一等奖。画面里，广州地标中山纪念堂被烟雨笼罩，一只蚂蚁以赤红木棉花瓣为舟，在倒映着蓝瓦红柱的湖面上悠然前行。“我想告诉大家要爱护环境，让动植物和自然和谐共处。”冯嘉维说。

秉正小学四年级学生朱品言带来的作品，则是一棵巨大的木棉古树，树干上挂着智能监测屏幕，几只机械臂正为古树浇水、施肥，无人机在空中盘旋巡视。“我希望用智能科技守护社区里的古树名木，让它们和花城一起健康生长。”朱品言说。他平时会做好垃圾分类、节约水电，爱护身边一草一木。

这些孩子并非被老师“布置”了环保任务。采访中，他们主动提到自己平时会做的“小事”：关灯、关水、分类垃圾、提醒同学不要踩草坪。漫画大赛像是播下一颗种子，而日常生活的土壤让它们自己发芽。

近年来，越秀区坚守生态优先、绿色发展的战略定力，空气质量连年创历史最优，东濠涌跻身省级美丽河湖，适用于小型医疗机构的集中收集系统做法入选国际推广的“无废城市”典型案例，并成为全省首批入选国际“自然城市”的区县。老城区的生态底色愈发清新亮丽。

文｜许敏
译｜陈冠臻
英文审校｜曾敏