Wang Junkai designated UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador

Chinese singer and actor Wang Junkai was designated a UN Environment National Goodwill Ambassador in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang, or Karry Wang, best known for his leading role in the box office blockbuster film Miracles of the Namiya General Store and his hit single Karry On, has spoken out on environmental issues before, making him a leader on the topic among Chinese youth.

In his role as goodwill ambassador, Wang will connect with China’s youth on some of the most urgent environment issues for their generation, including pollution, air quality, wildlife protection and ecosystem preservation.

"We youth have the responsibility to protect our environment and secure our future, and I am looking forward to learn from and work with the UN family on key environmental issues," Wang said.

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

The 18-year old performer has amassed more than 40 million followers on Weibo, a Chinese Twitter-like platform. Both in China and the rest of Southeast Asia, Wang has been one of key voices in the online conversation on the environment.

In 2016, Wang widely publicized the #wildforlife Campaign, reaching 400 million viewers. A year later, he publicly spoke on the urgent need to protect endangered wildlife, naming them the "superstars of the planet".

Beyond drawing attention to wildlife, he called upon his followers to pledge to reduce their e-waste, with the hashtag #beatpollution. Within 24 hours, his request was reposted 1.67 million times and more than 400,000 people signed the pledge.

Li Xinran contributed to the story.