Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday highlighted the importance of ecological civilization in the congratulatory letter to a World Environment Day event held in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan.

Noting that this year is the opening year of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, President Xi said the thematic activities held by Pakistan are of great importance.

Xi highlighted the importance of ecology as it is significantly associated with the prosperity of civilization.

Earth is the common homeland for mankind, he said, and people should respect and protect nature and promote harmonious coexistence with it.

Acknowledging that global challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, deforestation and extreme weather are posing severe threats to the survival and development of mankind, the Chinese president called on all parties to establish a global environmental governance system featuring justice and win-win cooperation with unprecedented ambitions and actions.

China, with a long tradition of seeking harmony between man and nature, has already put the construction of ecological civilization into its general layout of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi said.

Reiterating China's commitment to multilateralism, he pledged that China will continue to be a participant, contributor and leading force in the construction of a global ecological civilization.

Noting that China will host the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Xi said that his country is ready to work with all parties to inject new impetus into global environmental governance and contribute to a clean and beautiful world.

World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5 annually, is a commemorative activity to encourage awareness and environmental protection. Each year, the United Nations Environment Programme selects a member state to host the signature event. This year's activities, themed on "Ecosystem Restoration", are held in Pakistan.