Yang Liwen: Deeply Understand and Grasp the Contemporary Significance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization
The recently published Learning Questions and Answers on Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization keeps close pace with the practical development of ecological civilization construction in the New Era. Focusing on theoretical hotspots and difficulties and responding to social concerns, the book uses an interlocutory format to comprehensively, systematically, and accessibly present the great significance, scientific system, core tenets, rich connotations, and practical requirements of Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization. On the new journey, we should deeply study and comprehend Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization, becoming more conscious of using it to equip our minds, guide practice, and promote work, as we strive to write a new chapter in the construction of a Beautiful China.
I
Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization is an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is a major theoretical innovation resulting from the refinement and sublimation of our Party's practical achievements and valuable experience in leading ecological civilization construction. It provides fundamental guidance for fortifying the green foundation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and achieving its sustainable development.
Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization represents the deepening and innovation of our Party's theoretical exploration of ecological civilization. Since its founding, our Party has continuously explored the dialectical relationship between ecological civilization construction and economic and social development, forming a scientific, systematic, and complete theoretical system of ecological civilization construction with Chinese characteristics. This provided scientific guidance for correctly handling the relationship between development and protection across different historical periods. Since the 18th National Congress [1], faced with new situations and tasks, President Xi has stood at the strategic height of the Chinese nation’s sustainable development. With a new vision, new understanding, and new concepts, he has endowed the theory of ecological civilization construction with new contemporary meaning, forming and enriching Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization and raising the Party’s understanding of ecological civilization to a new height. This thought is an organic unity of the epistemology, axiology, and methodology of ecological civilization construction. It crystallizes our Party’s hard-won achievements and historical experience in this field, marking the latest theoretical and practical innovations in the theory of socialist ecological civilization construction.
Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization is a manifestation of the inheritance and innovation of Marxist ideas regarding the relationship between humanity and nature. President Xi emphasized: "To study Marx, one must study and practice Marxist thought on the relationship between man and nature." Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization inherits and develops the essential marrow and theoretical character of Marxist thought on this relationship. Concepts and viewpoints such as "harmonious coexistence between man and nature" and "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" [2] have realized the Sinicization and modernization of the Marxist ecological outlook. They represent the concentrated expression of contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism in the field of ecological civilization construction.
Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization absorbs and develops the excellent traditional Chinese ecological culture. The 5,000-year-continuous Chinese civilization has nurtured a rich ecological culture. Whether it is the statement in the I Ching (Book of Changes), "The Way (Dao) of Heaven and Earth is regulated and adapted to assist in what is appropriate for Heaven and Earth," [3] or Xunzi’s [4] observation, "When the trees are flourishing and blooming, axes and bills do not enter the mountains and forests, so as not to end their lives prematurely or cut off their growth," all reflect the Chinese nation’s long-standing respect and love for nature. They highlight excellent traditional ecological concepts such as "the unity of Heaven and humanity" [5] and "the Dao follows nature." [6] Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization is rooted in and sublimates the unceasing Chinese civilization. It draws upon the ecological wisdom and cultural traditions within excellent traditional Chinese ecological culture. It emphasizes that we must respect, adapt to, and protect nature, following a path of civilized development characterized by developed production, affluent living, and a sound ecosystem. By advancing Chinese-path modernization featuring harmonious coexistence between man and nature through the construction of a Beautiful China, it endows excellent traditional Chinese ecological culture with new contemporary meaning.
II
For a nation to stand at the forefront of the times, it cannot for a moment be without theoretical thinking, nor can it be without the guidance of correct ideas. Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization provides profound answers to major theoretical and practical questions, such as why we build ecological civilization, what kind we should build, and how to build it. It serves as the scientific guide for building a socialist ecological civilization. As the practice of ecological civilization construction continues to flourish, theoretical research deepens, and institutional innovation expands, the connotations of Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization continue to deepen.
It crystallizes a commitment to the people by upholding the principle of the "people-centered" approach. Always adhering to the people’s standpoint is where our Party’s ideals, beliefs, values, and sources of strength lie. The ecological environment is a major political issue related to the Party's mission and purpose, as well as a major social issue related to people's livelihoods. President Xi profoundly pointed out that developing the economy is for the sake of people's livelihoods, and protecting the ecological environment is also for their sake. Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization is permeated with the people-centered development concept. it emphasizes benefiting the people through ecology and prioritizing their needs, with a focus on solving prominent environmental problems that harm public health, thereby continuously satisfying the people’s growing need for a beautiful ecological environment. This thought reflects our Party’s consistent pursuit of the value of putting the people above all else, mirrors the political stance and value objectives of socialist ecological civilization construction, and is a concrete implementation of our Party's governance philosophy.
It highlights the development concept of prioritizing ecology and emphasizing green development. Development is the Party’s top priority in governing and rejuvenating the country, and it is the key to solving all problems in China. History and practice have proven that the concepts used to develop productive forces determine the direction and effectiveness of that development. Since the 18th National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has insisted on protecting in the course of development and developing in the course of protection, supporting high-quality development with high-level protection. This fully verifies that green development is the defining feature of high-quality development, and that new quality productive forces are, in essence, green productive forces. President Xi pointed out that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," that protecting the ecological environment is protecting productive forces, and that improving the ecological environment is developing productive forces. This scientific discourse explains the logic that protecting ecology is developing productive forces. It requires the thorough implementation of the New Development Philosophy [7], unsweringly following the path of ecological priority and green development, and solidly promoting ecological protection. This has found a harmonious path for reshaping the relationship between man and nature, and society and nature, for socialist ecological civilization construction in the New Era.
It embodies a rule-of-law mindset characterized by adherence to laws and regulations, and a strict, down-to-earth approach. Institutions provide fundamental and long-term governance. President Xi profoundly noted that only by implementing the strictest systems and the most rigorous rule of law can we provide a reliable guarantee for ecological civilization construction. Since the 18th National Congress, we have written ecological civilization into the Constitution and implemented the "strictest environmental protection law in history." We have pushed China’s ecological civilization construction to achieve major transitions: from localized remediation to systemic governance; from passive response to active initiative; from being a participant in global environmental governance to becoming a leader; and from practical exploration to guidance by scientific theory. It can be said that the New Era has seen the greatest intensity of legislation, the most frequent introduction of systems, and the strictest regulatory enforcement in the history of China’s ecological and environmental legal and institutional construction, providing a robust institutional guarantee for promoting ecological and environmental protection.
III
Since the 18th National Congress, historic, transformative, and overall changes have occurred in China’s ecological civilization construction and environmental protection. The fundamental reason lies in the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization. We must work hard to study deeply, understand thoroughly, and unify knowledge with action. We must effectively promote high-quality development and create high-quality life through high-level ecological protection, making new and greater contributions to building a Beautiful China where man and nature coexist in harmony.
Strengthen the Party's leadership over ecological civilization construction. Adhering to the Party’s comprehensive leadership over ecological civilization construction is the fundamental principle for advancing the construction of a Beautiful China; it must be unswervingly upheld and implemented. Strengthen ideological guidance. Thought is the precursor to action. We must deepen the study and education of Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization, guiding the broad masses of Party members, cadres, and the people to study and comprehend it earnestly, effectively enhancing their political, ideological, and behavioral consciousness in advancing the construction of a Beautiful China. Strengthen organizational construction. The Party's primary-level organizations are the "combat bastions" for ecological civilization construction. We must strengthen these organizations, reinforcing their important role in ecological governance, selecting and equipping a strong cadre force, and cultivating an "iron army" of ecological environmental protection that is politically strong, highly capable, disciplined in style, and daring in responsibility. Coordinate all parties. The Party must play its role in overseeing the overall situation and coordinating all sides, stimulating environmental enthusiasm across society and forming a pattern of working together for shared benefits.
Adopt a systems perspective to advance ecological civilization construction integrally. Advancing ecological civilization construction is a systemic project; we must persist in systems thinking and strengthen systemic integration. Handle the relationship between the whole and the parts. We must both formulate national strategic plans for ecological protection to outline the overall framework for ecological protection and restoration at the macro level, and also carry out work according to the specific conditions of each region, strengthening the pertinence and effectiveness of environmental protection efforts. Handle the relationship between the present and the long term. We must focus on the present, launching the "battle to prevent and control pollution" [8] with a strong sense of urgency, intensifying efforts on key tasks such as continuous improvement of air quality, the investigation and remediation of sewage outfalls into rivers and seas, and the control of soil pollution at its source, so that the people can tangibly feel the improvement of the environment. At the same time, we must look to the long term, increasing capital investment and technological R&D, vigorously developing renewable energy, and fundamentally solving environmental problems caused by energy consumption. Handle the relationship between the general and the particular. We should both summarize the general laws of environmental protection work—sorting out universally applicable principles and methods—and adopt targeted governance measures for emerging fields and key links.
Protect the ecological environment with the strictest systems and the most rigorous rule of law. Protecting the ecological environment must rely on systems and the rule of law, making the system a rigid constraint and an untouchable "high-voltage wire." [9] Improve legislation. We must strengthen top-level design, build a systematic, complete, scientific, and effective system of laws and regulations, pay attention to the connection and coordination between different laws, and increase the pertinence and operability of regulations for emerging fields and prominent problems. Strictly enforce the law. We must strengthen law enforcement in the field of ecology and environment. By regularly organizing professional training, case discussions, and practical drills, we can improve the professional level of the enforcement teams to ensure that regulations take root and are effective. Ensure justice. We must give full play to the functions of judicial organs, increasing the punishment for crimes such as polluting the environment and destroying the ecosystem, providing a strong judicial guarantee for ecological protection. Ensure universal law-abidance. We must raise public legal and environmental awareness through various forms of publicity, exposing typical illegal cases, and popularizing Knowledge of ecological protection laws, guiding the public to establish correct ecological values and behavioral norms.