The concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" was first proposed by Xi Jinping in 2005. Since then, the country has seen record gains in its ecological environment and biodiversity. Francesco Faiola, a stem cell toxicologist at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, told CGTN that he found concentrations of toxic chemicals in environmental matrices largely reduced in China. He also believes the country has much to offer on green development.