Making waves on the global stage

Young Chinese are increasingly making their voices heard and influencing world opinion as they take on more important roles in international organizations and global projects.

At a ceremony in Beijing in April, singer and actor Wang Junkai was made the national goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme by Eric Solheim, the organization's executive director.

"We young people have a responsibility to protect the environment and secure our future, and I am looking forward to learning from and working with the UN family on key environmental issues," Wang said in his speech after the appointment.

"The youth are no longer merely onlookers when it comes to environmental action, nor should they be. I will spare no effort in doing everything I can to take care of our Earth, and I invite everyone to join me in generating a wave of positive action," he said.

Wang Junkai, or Karry Wang, best known for his leading role in box-office blockbuster Miracles of the Namiya General Store and the hit single Karry On, has often spoken out on environmental issues, making him one of the leaders on environmental protection and other public welfare topics among the Chinese youth.

The 18-year old performer is a superstar of the highest ranks in Asia, and is widely regarded as China's answer to Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Bieber.

Known for his leading role in Namiya General Store and top roles in various TV series, as well as his solo music career, Wang has amassed more than 40 million followers on Sina Weibo. And both in China and around Southeast Asia, Wang has been one of the leaders of the online conversation about the environment.

In 2016, Wang widely shared the online Wild for Life campaign, which gained 400 million views. A year later, he publicly spoke out on the urgent need to protect endangered wildlife, calling the animals the "superstars of the planet."

Wang said that had valued the learning process and the professionalism of the partners at UNEP, as well as gaining a new understanding of issues involving environmental protection.