A new vision for development

Anji County in Zhejiang Province was once a place that depended on mining and extraction industry for its economy. While money was rolling in, the environment suffered. Today's Anji has taken on a path to green development. Believing that "green mountains and clean water are as precious as gold", the county has prospered through tourism and the sale of ecological goods and services. Anji's success is a convincing example of Xi Jinping thought on environment. 

After the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi gave a lot of thought to ecological conservation. He has traveled across the country, and proposed new and strategic notions about the issue based on his observations and his contemplation of the important questions of why ecological conservation is important, what it is about and how to achieve it. 

The fate of civilization is intertwined with the natural environment. If one flourishes, both flourish; if one suffers, both suffer. History suggests that changes in the natural environment may directly lead to the rise or fall of a civilization. Environment degradation was one of the reasons that caused the decline of both ancient Egypt and Babylonia. The once flourishing Loulan Kingdom in China found itself buried in sand. We must follow the fundamental national policy for resource conservation and environmental protection on a path of green development in order to ensure the sustainability of the Chinese nation. 

We must ensure harmony between man and nature. People enjoy a pleasant natural environment with mountains and rivers, and beautiful cities and countryside, and depend on it for their future. We must give priority to environmental conservation, protection and restoration throughout the process of development. We must care for the environment the way we care for our eyes and our lives, so that our children will inherit from us not only material wealth, but also an environment with clear skies, clean waters and lush mountains. 

Green mountains and clean waters are as precious as gold. They are natural and ecological resources, and they have social and economic values. We must pursue development in a way that is innovative, balanced, green, and open, with benefits for everyone so that we can quickly transition to an environmentally friendly society with resources saving ways of production, work and life. Such an approach is urgently needed to protect the environment and allow nature to restore itself. 

A good environment enhances the wellbeing of the people, as environment has a direct impact on the population's wellbeing. People are happier when living in a pleasant natural surrounding under blue skies. Environmental protection enhances people's livelihood as much as economic growth does. We must therefore keep in mind the wellbeing of the people as we work to improve and protect the environment. We must focus on resolving major environmental problems that impact public health and satisfy people's demand for a beautiful environment. 

All things in nature depend on and interact with each other, whether they are mountains, rivers, forests, streams, farm fields or grassy meadows. They form a consistent ecosystem where people, land, water, mountains and forests all interact with and depend on each other. Such a community of life provides the material foundation for the survival of human beings. We must therefore develop plans and measures to pursue ecological conservation in a multi-pronged and holistic approach, covering all dimensions, regions and processes. 

The environment must be protected with the most strict regulations and laws. As a Chinese saying goes, people with petty shrewdness attend to trivial matters while those with greater wisdom attend to governance of institutions. An institutional and legal framework is necessary for any progress to be made. We must press ahead with innovative institutional building and make sure that regulations are strictly enforced for effective implementation of plans and programs for ecological conservation. 

A beautiful China must be built with the efforts of everyone as ecological progress is in everyone's interest. We will promote green development and green ways of life through public mobilization and education, in a joint effort to build a beautiful China. 

We must have a global perspective when it comes to ecological conservation. Mankind depends on nature for its future, and people of all countries wish to have a beautiful environment. Protecting the environment and tackling climate change are a common responsibility for all countries and we must therefore take an active part in global environmental efforts. China needs to push for stronger response from the international community to climate change and for useful reforms in the international order so that effective solutions could be developed for global environmental protection, climate change and sustainable development. 

These well-considered notions have guided practice and in turn were tested through practice. Under Xi Jinping thought on environment, unprecedented progress has been made since the 18th CPC National Congress, thanks to a strong resolve and hard effort like never before. We have pressed the "turbo mode" button for green development, placing our effort in the fast lane. A more beautiful China with blue skies, green landscapes, and clean waters is unfolding right in front of us. 

Haikou of Hainan Province Became One of the First International Wetland Cities 

Haikou, capital city of Hainan province, was honored as one of the first international wetland cities at the 13th Conference of the Parties to the International Convention on Wetlands held in October 2018. According to the city's Master Plan for Wetland Protection and Restoration (2017-2025), 65.76 percent of wetlands will be under protection by 2025. The photo shows the Wuyuanhe National Wetland Park, home to 427 plants and 128 wild vertebrates, including junglefowl, water fern and wild rice that are on the national or provincial protection list. The park is a popular place where residents come to enjoy and learn about wetlands. 

The views don't necessarily reflect those of Qiushi Journal.