A Socialist Approach to Environmental Protection

Man and nature form a community of life; we, as human beings, must respect nature, follow its laws, and protect it. Only by observing the laws of nature in its exploitation can humankind avoid costly blunders. Any harm we inflict on nature will eventually return to haunt us. This is a reality we have to face.

The report to the 17th CPC National Congress set the goal of developingaconservation culture. The 18th CPC National Congress highlighted the need to respect and protect nature, remain committed to resources conservation and environmental protection, and promote natural restoration of the environment so as to ensure socialist ecological progress.

The report to the 19th CPC National Congress pointed out that promoting ecological progress is vital to sustain the Chinese nation’s development. The modernization that we pursue is one characterized by harmonious coexistence between man and nature. In addition to creating more material and cultural wealth to meet people’s increasing needs for a better life, we must also provide more quality ecological goods to meet their growing demands for a beautiful environment. Acting on the principles of prioritizing resource conservation and environmental protection and letting nature restore itself, we should develop spatial layouts, industrial structures, and ways of work and life that help conserve resources and protect the environment. With this, we can restore the serenity, harmony, and beauty of nature.

We must realize that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and act on this understanding. We must implement our fundamental national policy of conserving resources and protecting the environment, and cherish the environment as we cherish our own lives. We will adopt a holistic approach to conserving our mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands, implement the strictest possible systems for environmental protection, and develop eco-friendly growth models and ways of life.

We must pursue a model of sustainable development featuring increased output, higher living standards, and healthy ecosystems. We must continue the Beautiful China initiative to create good working and living environments for our people and play our part in ensuring global ecological security.

社會主義生態文明觀

人與自然是生命共同體，人類必須尊重自然、順應自然、保護自然。人類只有遵循自然規律才能有效防止在開發利用自然上走彎路，人類對大自然的傷害最終會傷及人類自身，這是無法抗拒的規律。中共十七大報告指出了生態文明的建設目標。中共十八大指出，社會主義生態文明必須尊重并保護自然，始終貫徹節約保護、自然恢復的方針。中共十九大報告提出建設生態文明是中華民族永續發展的千年大計。中國要建設的現代化是人與自然和諧共生的現代化，既要創造更多物質財富和精神財富以滿足人民日益增長的美好生活需要，也要提供更多優質生態產品以滿足人民日益增長的優美生態環境需要。必須堅持節約優先、保護優先、自然恢復為主的方針，形成節約資源和保護環境的空間格局、產業結構、生產方式、生活方式，還自然以寧靜、和諧、美麗。堅持人與自然和諧共生，必須樹立和踐行綠水青山就是金山銀山的理念，堅持節約資源和保護環境的基本國策，像對待生命一樣對待生態環境，統籌山水林田湖草系統治理，實行最嚴格的生態環境保護制度，形成綠色發展方式和生活方式，堅定走生產發展、生活富裕、生態良好的文明發展道路，建設美麗中國，為人民創造良好生產生活環境，為全球生態安全作出貢獻。