New Year's wish: Greener China and safer Europe

One week prior to the Christmas holiday, European leaders gathered in Brussels to review their efforts to fight terrorism. The year 2015 has been similar to 2010 and 2011 for European leaders because they held meetings more frequently than usual this year. During 2010 and 2011, they met mainly to find ways to overcome the economic woes but in 2015, they added two more issues to the agenda: terrorism and the influx of migrants to Europe from war-torn regions.

The European leadership faces serious challenges to make Europe as safe as it was before terrorism emerged as a major threat. These challenges were reflected in the high security in France under which the French people spent Christmas. They were evident in the third-highest level of security alert in Belgium.

The woman I talked with on the Brussels square highlighted the top priority of European leaders, for making Europe a better and safer place will remain the top task for European leaders in 2016.

The soft-spoken woman also indicated the top priority of the Chinese leadership in 2016. People in North China struggled through a cloud of smog to celebrate Christmas. And they expect to welcome the new year under a blue sky, which in winter has become increasingly elusive.

The woman identified Beijing with air pollution and Europe with the threat of terrorism. Though pollution does not neutralize Beijing's richness and magnificence, the cry for cleaner air is rising. Many people in North China are worried about their children's health and have urged the government to use strict measures to shut down polluting factories.

This week, President Xi Jinping is expected to give his New Year message to the world. Determined to overcome the environmental woes and fulfilling China's commitments in the fight against climate change, Xi is likely to emphasize how the problems can be solved.

With New Year just a couple of days away, let us hope Europe becomes a safer place and China a greener country next year.

The author is China Daily chief correspondent in Brussels. fujing@chinadaily.com.cn