Yang Kaizhong: Chinese Modernization Embodies Harmony Between Humanity and Nature
The report of the 20th National Congress pointed out that modernization characterized by harmony between humanity and nature is a basic feature and an essential requirement of Chinese-path modernization. Respecting, conforming to, and protecting nature are inherent requirements for building a socialist modernized country in all respects. We must firmly establish and practice the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," plan development from the height of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, and demand the "promotion of green development and the promotion of harmony between humanity and nature."
The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC systematically expounded on Chinese-path modernization for the first time, proposing nine essential requirements for Chinese-path modernization.
On the afternoon of October 23, after the members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee met with Chinese and foreign journalists, the Beijing News (Xinjing Daily) Think Tank held an online seminar themed "Embarking on the New Journey of Chinese-path Modernization." Yang Kaizhong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Ecology and Civilization of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), stated at the meeting that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s proposal in the report of the 20th National Congress to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization, and his systematic elucidation of its basic features and essential requirements, does more than just point out the strategic path for the Party to lead the people in fully building a great modern socialist country and achieving the Second Centenary Goal [1]. It marks the rise of a brand-new path for the modernization of human society and demonstrates to the world that regardless of how the international winds and clouds change or how full they are of deep uncertainty—be it "gray rhinos" or "black swans"—China will persist in following the path of Chinese-path modernization.
Harmonious Coexistence of Humanity and Nature is a Fundamental Goal
The 20th National Congress made a very important assessment: that China’s current development faces a coexistence of strategic opportunities and risks/challenges, and is in a period where "uncertain and unpredictable" factors are increasing, with various "black swan" and "gray rhino" [2] events potentially occurring at any time. "This differs from the previous major assessment that ‘our country’s development is still in an important period of strategic opportunity, but there are new developments and changes in both opportunities and challenges.’ It reflects the clear understanding and scientific grasp of the situation by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core," Yang Kaizhong said. In such a period, General Secretary Xi Jinping very clearly proposed advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization. First, it points out the strategic path for the Party to lead the people in building a great modern socialist country and achieving the Second Centenary Goal; second, it marks the rise of a brand-new path for the modernization of human society; third, it demonstrates to the world that China will persist in its path regardless of international volatility. "This is a very major strategic event that will certainly support and lead the comprehensive progression of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and have a profound impact on the changes unseen in a century [3]."
Yang Kaizhong stated that the report of the 20th National Congress points out that modernization characterized by harmony between humanity and nature is a basic feature and essential requirement of Chinese-path modernization. Respecting, conforming to, and protecting nature are inherent requirements for building a socialist modernized country in all respects. We must firmly establish and practice the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" and plan development from the height of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. Therefore, it is of great significance to profoundly understand and grasp why this harmony is a basic feature and essential requirement.
Yang Kaizhong noted that taking the modernization of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature as a basic feature and essential requirement is the product of the creative combination of the universal principles of Marxism with the national conditions (guoqing) and world situation (shiqing) faced by China’s modernization.
Essential Differences from Western-style Modernization
Regarding why "the creative combination of universal Marxist principles with China's national and world conditions" has made harmonious coexistence a basic feature, Yang Kaizhong believes this can be viewed from three aspects.
First, it is due to the different national conditions compared to Western-style modernization. This is reflected in three areas. 1. The fundamental system: Western-style modernization is modernization under capitalism, fundamentally representing the interests of the bourgeoisie. In contrast, Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization led by the CPC, representing the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people. This ensures that Chinese-path modernization can fundamentally reflect the requirements for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation and human society. 2. Geographical national conditions: the development of civilization is the product of "challenge and response." Unlike the geographical conditions of the West, China's large population relative to its limited land, its fragile ecology, and frequent disasters pose major challenges. As a response to these challenges, Chinese-path modernization must take the promotion of harmony between humanity and nature as a basic feature, following a path of resource conservation, ecological security, and environment-friendly modernization. 3. Different cultural traditions: Laozi said, "Man follows the Earth, the Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows Nature [4]." Confucius said, "The Master fished with a line but not with a net; he did not shoot at birds at rest [5]." This cultural tradition of "taking according to the season, taking with moderation, and the unity of heaven and humanity" (tianren heyi) is rooted in the worldview and methodology of the Chinese people, and thus naturally influences the characteristics of Chinese-path modernization.
Second, it is caused by the different world situations faced compared to Western-style modernization. Western-style modernization was first initiated during the British Industrial Revolution in the 1760s. During its implementation, the scale of human social activity was small relative to the Earth's carrying capacity; it faced a relatively "empty world" where the challenge of ecosystem limits did not exist. In contrast, in the era of Chinese-path modernization, human activities are approaching the limits of the Earth's resource and environmental carrying capacity. We face a "full world" where ecological challenges are increasingly sharp. Therefore, as a response, promoting harmony between humanity and nature has become an essential requirement.
Finally, and most importantly, is the guidance of the Marxist theory of the relationship between humanity and nature. Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for the construction of Chinese-path modernization, and its theory on the humanity-nature relationship inevitably guides harmonious coexistence to become a basic feature of our modernization.
Answering "For Whom, What, and How to Build"
Yang Kaizhong explained that under the leadership of the Party, China actually began work on promoting harmony between humanity and nature quite early. The Patriotic Health Campaign was launched in 1951, and environmental protection was established as a basic state policy in 1983. After entering the 21st century, explorations in this area have continuously reached new heights.
After decades of exploration, especially since the 18th National Congress, we have systematically answered the three most fundamental questions regarding the modernization of harmonious coexistence: "for whom is it built, what is being built, and how is it built?"
"For whom is it built?" China builds for the people. This is different from the capital-centered "ecological modernization" that emerged in the West in the 1970s. Humanity must respect, conform to, and protect nature, but this is not "nature-centered" either; the ultimate goal remains the survival and development of humanity itself, to meet the needs of the free and well-rounded development of the individual. Yang noted that some people misinterpret the construction of ecological civilization as being nature-centered or eco-centered, which is "incorrect."
"What is being built?" We are building an ecological civilization system. Facing today's global ecological crisis, the question of where humanity is headed and what the specific content of this modernization should be is a topic of universal discussion. Chinese-path modernization proposes the "ecological civilization solution," emphasizing that ecological civilization is the product of industrial civilization reaching a certain stage. It is the sum of productive forces, relations of production, and the superstructure that are resource-saving and environment-friendly. "The future civilization of humanity is ecological civilization," Yang stated. Humanity is undergoing a great civilizational transformation toward ecological civilization. In this process, our promotion of harmonious modernization is precisely about building this system.
"How to build?" This involves following a path of civilizational development characterized by productive development, affluent life, and sound ecology. Yang Kaizhong believes this is manifested in five aspects: 1. Adhering to the principles of "prioritizing conservation, prioritizing protection, and focusing on natural restoration." 2. Adhering to comprehensive innovation and promoting a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. 3. Adhering to the spatial equilibrium between humanity and nature, developing "major function zones" (zhuti gongneng qu), and forming a national spatial layout for resource conservation and ecological security. 4. Unswervingly adhering to opening up to the outside world, guided by the values of a community with a shared future for humanity, practicing multilateralism, and building a beautiful Earth. 5. Adhering to the use of reform methods to break through institutional and mechanistic obstacles, forming a system that combines a "promising government" (youwei zhengfu), an "effective market," and an "organic society" based on nature.