The journal Qiushi has published an important article by General Secretary Xi Jinping titled “Comprehensively Advancing the Modernization of Harmonious Coexistence Between Humanity and Nature through the Construction of a Beautiful China.”

 BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) — The first issue of the journal Qiushi, to be published on January 1, 2024, will feature a portion of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping’s address delivered at the National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection on July 17, 2023, entitled “Promoting Modernization in Harmonious Coexistence Between Humanity and Nature Through the Comprehensive Advancement of Building a Beautiful China.”

  The article emphasizes that the next five years will be a crucial period for building a Beautiful China. It calls for thoroughly implementing the Thought on Ecological Civilization of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, upholding a people-centered approach, and firmly establishing and putting into practice the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. Building a Beautiful China must be given a prominent place in the endeavor to build a strong country and achieve national rejuvenation, so as to bring about marked improvements in urban and rural living environments and deliver substantial results in this endeavor, thereby using a high-quality ecological environment to underpin high-quality development.

  The article emphasizes the need to sustain and deepen efforts in the tough battle against pollution. It calls for adhering to precision, science, and law-based approaches to pollution control, maintaining unwavering momentum, deepening our reach, and broadening our scope, so as to advance environmental pollution prevention and control and continuously improve ecological and environmental quality. The campaign to safeguard blue skies is the top priority of this decisive battle. The campaign to protect clear waters should promote harmony between humanity and water. And the campaign to preserve clean soil focuses on strengthening the management and control of pollution risks.

  The article emphasizes the need to accelerate the green and low‑carbon transformation of development models. It underscores that green and low‑carbon development must be regarded as the fundamental solution to ecological and environmental challenges, while expediting the establishment of green production and consumption patterns and strengthening the green foundation for high‑quality development. Furthermore, it calls for optimizing the spatial layout of land use, speeding up the green upgrading and transformation of industries, building hubs of green development, and fostering a green lifestyle.

  The article emphasizes the need to vigorously enhance the diversity, stability, and sustainability of ecosystems. From the standpoint of safeguarding national ecological security, ensuring the enduring development of the Chinese nation, and assuming responsibility for human civilization, we must strengthen ecological conservation and restoration, leaving future generations a pristine ecological environment characterized by lush mountains and clear waters. We must intensify efforts to protect ecosystems, reinforce oversight of ecological conservation and restoration, and broaden pathways for transforming green mountains and clear waters into tangible economic benefits.

  The article emphasizes the need to advance carbon peaking and carbon neutrality in a proactive yet prudent manner. It calls for adherence to the principles of national coordination, prioritizing energy conservation, adopting a dual‑pronged approach, ensuring smooth domestic and international linkages, and guarding against risks, while effectively implementing the “1+N” policy framework for achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of carrying out carbon‑peaking initiatives in a planned, phased manner and building a clean, low‑carbon, safe, and efficient energy system.

  The article emphasizes the need to firmly safeguard the security baseline for building a Beautiful China. It calls for implementing the holistic national security outlook, proactively and effectively addressing various risks and challenges, and ensuring that the natural environment and conditions upon which our survival and development depend remain free from threats and damage. Furthermore, it underscores the imperative of earnestly upholding ecological security and guaranteeing nuclear and radiation safety.

  The article points out that it is essential to improve the institutional framework for building a Beautiful China. This requires coordinating resources across all sectors, pooling strengths from all quarters, and delivering a comprehensive “combination punch” of legal, market‑based, technological, and policy measures to provide solid underpinnings and robust safeguards for this endeavor. It further calls for strengthening legal safeguards, refining economic policies that promote green and low‑carbon development, fostering a closer synergy between an efficient market and a proactive government, and bolstering science and technology support.

[Editor-in-charge: Zhang Qiaosu]

Source: Xinhua Net