Resolute promotion of an ecological civilization

The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China stated that the country has acted on the idea that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. The nation has persisted with a holistic and systematic approach to conserving and improving its mountain, water, forest, farmland, grassland and desert ecosystems. It has strengthened its ecological conservation and environmental protection has been promoted across the board, in all regions, and at all times. As a result, China's ecological conservation systems have been improved, the critical battle against pollution has been advanced, and solid progress has been made in promoting green, circular and low-carbon development. This has led to historic, transformative, and comprehensive changes in ecological and environmental protection and ensured people can enjoy bluer skies, greener mountains and cleaner waters.

The report also pointed out how the country should press ahead with its green development initiative. It said that the country will advance the Beautiful China Initiative, and carry out coordinated industrial restructuring, pollution control, ecological conservation and climate response, and it will promote concerted efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green development and pursue economic growth.

These will serve as a guideline for the country's green development in the foreseeable future.

In response to people's expectation for better environmental quality, China has made great efforts in the ideology, law, system, organization and work style, and strengthened ecological environmental protection in all directions, regions and via a whole-process approach. Ecological conservation and environmental protection have been upgraded to national development strategies.

Thanks to 10 years of continuous efforts, ecological and environmental quality has improved across the country. The quality of air and water has improved significantly, and the people's sense of gain, happiness and security in ecological and environmental quality has been significantly enhanced.

The successful experience of ecological civilization construction and environmental protection over the past decade will provide useful reference and strong impetus for further fighting the battle against pollution in the new era, achieving the goal of peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and realizing carbon neutrality before 2060, and realizing high-quality sustainable development.