Editor's note: John Gong is a professor at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing and a research fellow at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at UIBE. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The U.S. government is fond of touting "a rules-based international order" with its alliance with so called "like-minded countries," but with no reference to the most important established order as represented by the universally accepted United Nations. Nevertheless, on the issue of the environment, Washington runs out of like-minded countries, being on the exact opposite side of "a rules-based international order." Not a single ally; not a single like-minded country. Zippo!

I am talking about the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a global initiative conceived at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in 1988, dedicated to the goal of sustainability, conservation of biodiversity, and ultimately, we human beings' living in harmony with nature. This is essentially a UN-sanctioned international treaty to regulate the earthly aspects of environmental protection in addition to climate change.  Read more>>