Huan Qingzhi: Research on the Scientific System of Xi Jinping's Thought on Ecological Civilization
As has already been elucidated elsewhere, the connotations of the "scientific system" of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization as an object of academic research can be understood in two ways: as the scientific truthfulness possessed by a system of theoretical knowledge, and as the scientific rationality of the systematized and academic interpretations and elaborations thereof produced by the academic community. These correspond to, or emphasize, respectively: the theory's objective and correct reflection of practice together with the exercise of its guiding and regulative role; and the scientific representation of the process and results of the theory's own discourse construction and presentation. Regarding the former, with the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012 and the 19th CPC National Congress in 2017 serving as primary milestones, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization has already undergone an evolutionary elevation in three senses, thereby demonstrating its scientific nature: from a "series of important expositions on the construction of ecological civilization" to "Thought on Ecological Civilization"; from more conceptual categories to an increasingly complete theoretical system; and from major strategies of Party and state governance to all-encompassing practice across the whole of society. Accordingly, we can reasonably provide a descriptive conceptual definition of "Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization" as a research object: it refers to the theoretical reflections and policy practices of contemporary Chinese Communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their chief representative, concerning the broad topics of ecological environmental protection and governance or the construction of ecological civilization; it is an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Regarding this definition, although we already have many reasons to assert that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is Marxist ecology for contemporary China and the 21st century—the green political ideology and ecological governance strategy of the CPC facing the New Era, and an environmental humanities and social science theory with Chinese characteristics, style, and flair—we must acknowledge that there remains the question of its "scientific system-ness" [1] regarding the interpretive demonstration and presentation of its status as a complete system of discourse and theory. Furthermore, although people may make their own cognitive judgments on the theoretical meaning of a "scientific system" from different facets such as realistic correspondence, academic induction, and the logic of expression, we can broadly define it as an academic theoretical system, a discourse system, and a disciplinary education system that conforms to general scientific standards. In other words, we can examine and elevate the degree and level of scientific systematization in the interpretation and research of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization from the perspective of these "three major systems" (academic, discourse, and disciplinary systems).
I. Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization from the Perspective of the Academic System
From the perspective of the academic system, the primary task for the interpretive research of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is to clarify how it simultaneously constitutes a systematically complete policy discourse system and a theoretical discourse system—or rather, a theoretical discourse system with a distinct policy-expository color—while presenting a clear theoretical character primarily characterized by subjectivity, scientificity, and popularity among the masses. Briefly put, the former is more concerned with revealing the conceptual and theoretical issues manifested by or hidden behind the policy propositions and expositions of the Party and government, while the latter aims to demonstrate or highlight the qualitative characteristics exhibited by this theory, such as its "autonomous positioning," its "conscious understanding of the three major laws (of nature/ecology, economy/society, and ruling party leadership)," and its "orientation toward New Era practice and the broadest masses of the people."
(1) The "Eight Persistences" or "Eight Views" Based on the "Six Principles" Elucidated in Xi Jinping’s Speech at the 2018 National Conference on Ecological Environmental Protection
For the academic elaboration or systematized interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, the most influential to date is undoubtedly the inductive formulation of the "Eight Persistences (Eight Views)"—and even the recent "Ten Persistences"—based on the "Six Principles" elucidated in Xi Jinping’s speech at the 2018 National Conference on Ecological Environmental Protection (hereafter referred to as the "May 18 Speech").
Specifically, in the "May 18 Speech," Xi Jinping for the first time proposed and systematically elucidated six principles that must be upheld to strengthen the construction of ecological civilization in the New Era: "persisting in the harmonious coexistence between man and nature"; "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" [2]; "a sound ecological environment is the most universal welfare for people's livelihoods"; "mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands are a life community" [3]; "protecting the ecological environment with the strictest systems and the most rigorous rule of law"; and "jointly building a global ecological civilization." As the landmark document that formally established Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, the authority of this speech is beyond doubt. Consequently, it was not only published as a standalone article in the 3rd issue of Qiushi in 2019 and included as two summary articles in the third volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China published in 2020, but it was also included in its entirety as the opening piece in the book Xi Jinping on Persisting in the Harmonious Coexistence Between Man and Nature published in early 2022. Based on these authoritative expositions, the "Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Comprehensively Strengthening Ecological Environmental Protection and Resolutely Fighting the Tough Battle Against Pollution" released in June 2018 expanded the "Six Principles" into "Eight Persistences": persisting in the view that civilization prospers when the ecology prospers; persisting in the harmonious coexistence between man and nature; persisting in the view that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets; persisting in the view that a sound ecological environment is the most universal welfare for people's livelihoods; persisting in the view that mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands are a life community; persisting in protecting the ecological environment with the strictest systems and the most rigorous rule of law; persisting in the construction of a Beautiful China through the action of the whole people; and persisting in jointly building a global ecological civilization. Since then, the formulation of the "Eight Persistences" or "Eight Views" has become the most widely recognized academic systematic summary of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization.
In July 2022, the Study Outline for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, compiled by the Central Propaganda Department of the CPC and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, expanded the "Eight Persistences" into "Ten Persistences," adding "persisting in the Party’s overall leadership over the construction of ecological civilization" as the first principle and "persisting in the view that green development is a profound revolution in the concept of development" as the sixth. It further emphasized the holistic connotations contained within these "Ten Persistences," including elements such as the "fundamental guarantee," "core concept," "purpose and requirement," "strategic path," "systems thinking," "institutional safeguard," "social forces," and "global initiative."
It should be noted that this academic interpretation and systematic summary, primarily facilitated by relevant research departments of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, possesses sufficient authoritative grounding. The only issue lies in how to more reasonably clarify the theoretical and logical relationships among these eight or ten topics. In particular, directly mapping a certain "persistence" to a specific "element" or level of the entire theory—for instance, calling green development the strategic path of ecological civilization construction—may cause some unnecessary theoretical confusion. Furthermore, attempting to carry out such a holistic interpretation and grasp solely from a single discipline, such as philosophy, is also inadequate for the task.
(2) "Marxist Ecological Theory" Echoing the Three Great Components of Marxism
The fundamental rationale for this interpretive research approach is that, just as Marxism is composed of three great parts—philosophy, political economy, and scientific socialism—Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is also a complete theoretical system that inherits and innovates upon these three components, rather than merely being a set of ideas regarding the relationship between man and nature in a philosophical sense.
The most representative effort in this regard is Zhang Yunfei’s re-summarization of the "Eight Persistences" or "Eight Views" according to the three components of Marxism. In his view, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization can be constructed as a Marxist ecological theoretical system consisting of the following three parts: first, its "philosophical" part, which includes the "view of nature persisting in man and nature as a life community," the "view of history persisting in the idea that civilization prospers when the ecology prospers," and the "methodology of persisting in the systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, sands, and ice"; second, its "political economy" part, which includes the "axiology of persisting in the idea that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," the "view of development persisting in green development," and the "modernization of persisting in the harmonious coexistence between man and nature"; third, its "scientific socialism" part, which includes the "political stance of persisting in the idea that a sound ecological environment is the most universal welfare for people’s livelihoods," the "view of state governance persisting in protecting the ecological environment with the strictest systems and most rigorous rule of law," and the "view of international governance persisting in jointly building a global ecological civilization."
Similarly, Huang Chengliang argues that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization centrally embodies the positions, viewpoints, and methods of Marxist philosophy (dialectical materialist thinking and methods), political economy (the character of "managing the world for practical use" [4]), and scientific socialism (the essential characteristics of future socialism), forming a scientifically complete theoretical system that integrates analysis from all three. Additionally, Chen Xueming emphasizes that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization not only inherits and develops Marxist ecological thought on the relationship between man and nature but also enriches and innovates basic Marxist theory in numerous aspects, such as the theory of productive forces, concepts of development, modernization theory, ideas on justice, theories of human civilization, and theories on the human mode of existence.
(3) "Systematic Construction" Based on Systematic Considerations of the Core Theoretical Viewpoints and Explanatory Framework
Beyond the two explicit forms of systematized interpretation and elaboration mentioned above, a more common approach is systematized induction and academic interpretation based on certain systematic considerations of the core theoretical viewpoints and explanatory framework of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. This research logic has existed since the 18th CPC National Congress and became an academic conscious effort after the 19th CPC National Congress, particularly in discussions surrounding the main theoretical viewpoints and internal logic of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. Specifically, this can be divided into the following three cases: the integrity of theoretical content, the integrity of the theoretical framework, and the integrity of theoretical viewpoints.
First, the integrity of theoretical content. As early as 2016, Li Xuesong and others proposed that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is a theoretical system that provides a comprehensive and profound exposition of major theoretical and practical questions, such as what ecological civilization is and how to build it. This includes core viewpoints and judgments such as the "theory of ecological determination of the rise and fall of civilizations," the "theory of the ecological environment as productive forces," the "theory of the ecological environment as people’s livelihood," the "theory of institutional construction for ecological civilization," the "theory of ecological civilization construction as a systems engineering project," the "theory of ecological redlines," and the "theory of allowing ecosystems to recuperate." Building on this, Chen Jun further pointed out that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is both a complete scientific system including important judgments such as the theory of the rise and fall of ecological civilization and the theory of ecological productive forces, and a logically rigorous theoretical system that profoundly discusses the strategic status, value orientation, key tasks, developmental momentum, and international vision of China's ecological civilization construction. As such, it represents a deepening innovation of Marxist ecological civilization thought and an enrichment and development of the theoretical system of ecological civilization with Chinese characteristics.
In contrast, while Shen Manhong agrees that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization constitutes a complete theoretical system, he emphasizes that the core of its thought is the "Two Mountains" theory [2]. Liu Haijuan and Tian Qibo, starting from the Marxist (philosophical) worldview and methodology, summarize the contents of the Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization system into eight core concepts, such as "ecological axiology," and a complete "logical framework" built of six elements.
Furthermore, Fang Shinan, in elucidating the contribution of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization to the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, emphasized the need to grasp this thought’s significant contributions from multiple dimensions, such as its ecological political viewpoints. This raises or highlights the issue of the "five-sphere" [5] or "multi-sphere" perspective in understanding the theoretical system of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization.
Second, the integrity of the theoretical framework. Qin Shusheng and Lyu Jinfang, from the perspective of the functional structure or explanatory logic of theoretical knowledge, proposed that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is not only rich in connotation but also an integrated framework composed of seven aspects or elements: "goals and direction," "key issues," "overall approach," "strategic priorities," "institutional safeguards," "ideological concepts," and "international cooperation." Slightly differently, Zhou Hongchun and Jiang Xiaojun summarize the system framework of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization into eight components: the basic core, value orientation, livelihood sentiments, developmental foundation, governance methodology, sense of responsibility, fundamental guarantee, and ultimate goal.
In addition, Sun Jinlong has summarized the core connotations of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization into the following four key points: profoundly elucidating the relationship between humanity and nature and proposing the basic strategy of persisting in the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature; profoundly elucidating the relationship between development and protection and proposing the scientific concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets"; profoundly elucidating the relationship between the environment and people's livelihoods and proposing the major thesis that a sound ecological environment is the most universal benefit to people's wellbeing; and profoundly elucidating the relationship between various elements of the natural ecosystem and proposing a system of governance based on the idea that "mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands are a community of life." Meanwhile, Yu Hai and others have tentatively summarized six characteristics of the structural system of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization, moving beyond the "Eight Views" content framework: theoretical innovativeness, scientific validity of assertions, comprehensiveness of guidance, long-term impact, practical effectiveness, and systematicity of content.
Thirdly, the integrity of theoretical perspectives. Representative examples in this area are numerous, focusing on consciously clarifying the holistic connotations or cognitive perspectives of a specific theoretical viewpoint within Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization. For instance, when discussing the global significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization, Zhang Haibin systematically summarized six aspects concerning international environmental protection cooperation and sustainable development: its formation and establishment mark China's arrival at the forefront of the global cause of sustainable development in terms of discourse theory and institutional policy initiatives; it will promote the shaping of a brand-new order for international ecological cooperation and governance; it will play a positive and key role in helping the international community address the global ecological governance deficit and avoid the "Kindleberger Trap" [6]; it has established China as a leader or pillar of the global climate governance system; it has greatly enriched the theoretical connotations of the "China Contribution" thesis; and it holds significant exemplary and leading significance for the vast number of developing countries.
As another example, when Wang Yuchen expounded on the revolutionary significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization for human ecological thought, he emphasized the holistic theoretical innovations it systematically elaborates or implicitly contains. These include: an ecological ontology based on concepts such as the "community of life" [7]; an ecological cultural value system of "harmony" based on the historical materialist principle of "environmental justice"; an environmental livelihood theory emphasizing social ecological construction with the value orientation of "putting the people first" and "people-centeredness"; and a theory of eco-civilization construction based on the "Two Mountains" theory [8] and the concept of developing ecological productive forces.
In summary, from my perspective, the three systematic interpretative approaches based on the integrity of theoretical content, theoretical architecture, and theoretical viewpoints are actually difficult to separate strictly. That is to say, when summarizing the holistic composition of the theoretical content of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization, one often draws upon or focuses on its theoretical functions or characteristics of logical structure, and vice versa. On the other hand, if judged by the stricter standards of a scientific system in the humanities and social sciences, it is easy to find that current efforts under each research approach still have significant room for further optimization. One prominent problem is that the construction of secondary indicators or "sub-dimensions" within a given research approach often fails to be truly consistent throughout.
In view of this, we need to consider the systematic integrity of its theoretical content and architecture in a unified manner to more clearly and consciously reveal the scientific system connotations of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization. This means revealing its theoretical integrity and logical consistency as simultaneously: contemporary Chinese and 21st-century Marxist ecology; the CPC's green political ideology and ecological state governance strategy for the New Era; and an environmental humanities and social science theory with Chinese characteristics, style, and spirit. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress explicitly stated: "The 'Ten Clarifications,' 'Fourteen Persistences,' and 'Thirteen Achievements' [9] put forward at the 19th National Congress and the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee summarize the main contents of this Thought (i.e., Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era — Author's Note), which must be adhered to over the long term and continuously enriched and developed." This naturally includes Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization. An important aspect or path for adhering to and enriching Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization is to continuously promote its scholarly and systematic interpretation.
II. Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization from the Perspective of the Discourse System
From the perspective of the discourse system, the main task of interpreting and researching Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization is to extract, summarize, and clarify the core concepts, basic propositions, major theses, and systemic modalities through which it is constructed as a theoretical discourse system. That is, how these core concepts, basic propositions, major theses, and systemic modalities scientifically, reasonably, and especially logically build a complete, standardized, and consistent theoretical discourse system. It should be noted that summarizing and interpreting the core concepts, basic propositions, and major theses that mark the new ideas, new assertions, and new strategies of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization has been a task undertaken by domestic academia in recent years, yielding positive results. However, generally speaking, these results are not yet as rich or substantial as the systematic academic interpretations conducted from the perspective of the "academic system" (xueshu tixi).
In 2018, the author published an article elaborating on ten basic categories or concepts of eco-civilization and its construction theory. That article aimed to emphasize that eco-civilization theory, as an important manifestation of a green political philosophy or environmental socio-political discourse system, has gradually established a series of unique or supporting basic concepts or categories. These play a non-negligible role in the construction, dissemination, and practice of eco-civilization theory or discourse systems and deserve in-depth interpretation and analysis. Furthermore, the author explicitly proposed that Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization has become a theoretical system covering different levels such as basic ideas, target visions, strategic paths, and policy measures, which urgently requires a systematic summary and interpretation from the perspective of environmental humanities and social science theory.
Based on the dialectical thinking model for constructing scientific theoretical systems—"category-group-series-system"—proposed by Marx in The Poverty of Philosophy, Zhang Yunfei systematically explored the core (basic) categories, basic propositions, and series of thoughts that constitute the discourse of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization. In his view, Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization includes the core category of the concept of socialist eco-civilization as well as many other basic categories; it includes eight basic propositions such as "civilization thrives when ecology thrives"; and it includes four series of thoughts, such as eco-civilization construction being an important part of the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" and the "Four Comprehensives" strategic layout.
Zhang Ruicai and Li Da explicitly stated that Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization is a systematic theoretical discourse system composed of a scientific conceptual system, a complete theoretical framework, distinct theoretical characteristics, and an innovative discourse system. Specifically, the "scientific conceptual system" refers to a "theoretical web" composed of core, basic, and important concepts, including the core concept of "socialist eco-civilization" and many other basic concepts. Regarding the theoretical framework, elements such as the distinct theme, historical mission, goals, realistic momentum, mode of action, institutional guarantees, and global governance of socialist eco-civilization construction logically build a unified whole. The main features of the "innovative discourse system" include: "the unity of discourse system construction and practical advancement"; "the connection between critical discourse clarification and constructive discourse innovation"; "the fusion of academic, political, and mass discourse"; and "the alignment of branding concepts (标识性概念) with the creation of major theoretical propositions."
Yang Zhihua and others further pointed out that the theme and main line running through the formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization is: why we build, what kind of, and how to build a socialist eco-civilization with Chinese characteristics. Specifically, it comprehensively answers the "why" from three dimensions: historical enlightenment, realistic necessity, and future vision. It dialectically explains the relationship between eco-civilization and modernization, humanity and nature, and economic development and environmental protection from three levels: modernization characteristics, views of nature, and views of development, thereby answering "what kind." It systematically answers "how" from three links: the subject of construction, governance paths, and the international environment.
In this regard, the author's view is that one can borrow the "three elements" method of political philosophy argumentation—"critical analysis of reality," "vision of the future," and "political transition strategy." Based on Xi Jinping's explicit statement in his "May 18 Speech" [10] regarding how the CPC has profoundly answered the major theoretical and practical questions of "why build an eco-civilization, what kind of eco-civilization to build, and how to build it" since the 18th National Congress, we can regard the three authoritative documents—the "18th National Congress Report," the "19th National Congress Report," and the "May 18 Speech"—as the "three modalities" of the theoretical system of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization. Alternatively, they can be seen as three specific forms of the same theoretical system modality, from which ten core concepts and eight basic propositions can be further extracted and refined.
(1) Three Systemic Modalities
First, the "18th National Congress Report" system. Its systemic connotation refers to the elaboration in the independent chapter (Chapter 8) of the 18th National Congress Report. By introducing a series of environmentalist or even ecologist concepts and terms, it not only re-ideologized the ecological protection and governance politics and policies of the CPC and the government it leads, but also constituted a systematic and complete elaboration of the major theoretical and practical questions of why, what kind, and how to build an eco-civilization in the contemporary Chinese context, thereby constructing the first systemic modality of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization.
Second, the "19th National Congress Report" system. Its systemic connotation refers to the fact that, when compared with the 18th National Congress Report, although the presentation structure is slightly different, the 19th National Congress Report's discussions around why to reform (build) the eco-civilization institutional system, what kind of institutional system to build, and how to carry out this reform also constitute a systematic and complete answer to the three fundamental theoretical and practical questions of eco-civilization construction in the New Era, forming another theoretical system modality.
Third, the "May 18 Speech" system. Its systemic connotation refers to the fact that this long speech not only comprehensively and profoundly expounds the main views and policy propositions of contemporary Chinese Communists, represented primarily by Comrade Xi Jinping, on the significance, ideals, future visions, and strategic deployments of China's eco-civilization construction, but also provides a systematic and complete analysis from the standpoint of Marxist philosophy. It addresses the "why, what kind, and how" of eco-civilization construction in the New Era through the triple dimensions of "ideal, institution, and strategy," constituting the most complete and scientific theoretical system modality of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization to date.
(2) Ten Core Concepts
Based on the textual analysis of major authoritative documents, including the 18th and 19th National Congress Reports and the "May 18 Speech," we can further summarize the following ten core concepts or conceptual phrases that support the theoretical system of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization: socialist eco-civilization (construction); the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, building a Beautiful China, building a clean and beautiful world; the community of life for humanity and nature, the community of life for mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and sands, a community with a shared future for humanity; respecting, conforming to, and protecting nature; the basic state policy of resource conservation and environmental protection, implementing the sustainable development strategy, building a "two-oriented" [11] society, the principles of prioritizing conservation, prioritizing protection, and focusing on natural restoration; the phased construction of spatial patterns, industrial structures, production modes, and lifestyles that save resources and protect the environment (eco-civilization economy); modernization featuring harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature; green development; the eco-civilization institutional system; and global eco-civilization construction.
It goes without saying that there is still much room for in-depth discussion regarding the wording and specific connotations of these ten core concepts. However, it is certain that these terms already constitute a systematic combination of fundamental conceptual categories, encompassing both theoretical and practical levels, under the supreme concept of "socialist eco-civilization (construction)." The first five more theoretical concepts cover the self-positioning, target visions, value concepts, and guidelines/principles of our country's eco-civilization construction. The latter five more practical concepts cover the ecological transformation of the economy, social eco-civilization institutional innovation and policy practices, and global ecological protection governance and cooperation. In short, they constitute an internally consistent and highly integrated system of conceptual categories.
(3) Eight Basic Propositions
The eight basic propositions formed through the theoretical analysis and logical construction of the aforementioned core concepts are: civilization flourishes when the ecology flourishes, and civilization declines when the ecology declines; lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets; protecting the ecological environment is protecting the productive forces, and improving the ecological environment is developing the productive forces; a good ecological environment is the most universal benefit to the people’s wellbeing; the protection and construction of the natural ecology must be carried out in a comprehensive, all-regional, and all-process manner according to the idea of systems engineering (implementing the integrated ecological protection and restoration of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands); the protection of the ecological environment must rely on institutions and the rule of law (using the strictest institutions and the most rigorous rule of law to protect the ecological environment); building a Beautiful China [12] must be transformed into the conscious action of all people; and China is an important participant, contributor, and leader in global ecological civilization construction (jointly building a global ecological civilization).
Like the ten core concepts mentioned above, the phrasing and specific connotations of these eight basic propositions also contain points requiring further refinement and discernment. Yet what is already quite clear is that they indeed demonstrate an internally related or consistent integrated logical framework: the first proposition reveals the supportive dependency between natural ecology and the development of human civilization (society)—that is, an "ecological-civilizational view of history" based on the Marxist historical materialism serves as the foundation for the new view of civilization (worldview) through which Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is theoretically (logically) unfolded; the second through seventh propositions respectively elaborate on the dialectical interaction between ecological civilization construction and issues such as economic development, the development of productive forces, and the improvement of people’s wellbeing in the context of the New Era, as well as the importance of methods such as systemic and holistic thinking, institutional and legal channels, and public participation in the process of advancing the practice of ecological civilization construction; the eighth proposition elaborates on the consistency and unity of domestic and global ecological civilization construction, while "global ecological civilization construction" simultaneously carries the connotations of both a goal and a means.
In contrast, the specialized exposition on ecological civilization and its construction in the Report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC (specifically Section X) clearly presents an exposition or logical framework different from the three systematic modalities mentioned above: the implications of theoretical worldview and methodology, the principles of theoretical practice and implementation, and new strategic deployments and general requirements for tasks. That is to say, it pays closer attention to the regulatory and guiding role of theory for practice once the theory has been established. Correspondingly, its text features a higher frequency of reuse of the aforementioned core concepts, indicating the recognition and stability of the core concepts of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, while the restatement rate of the basic propositions is much lower, which is directly related to the angle and focus of the Report's overall exposition.
III. Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization from the Perspective of the Disciplinary System
From the perspective of the disciplinary system, the main task of the interpretation and research of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is to scientifically clarify its disciplinary attributes and constituent elements as a cross-disciplinary branch of both Marxist theory and the environmental humanities and social sciences. This is done to better incorporate it into the nation’s overall system of knowledge dissemination in the humanities and social sciences, school education, and talent cultivation, and to launch smooth and effective international academic and cultural exchanges and dialogues. Following the approval in 2021 of "Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" as a secondary discipline [13] under the primary discipline of "Marxist Theory," and the approval in 2022 of "Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization" as a secondary discipline under the primary cross-disciplinary category of "Ecological Civilization Construction," promoting and deepening the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and its scientific system from a disciplinary perspective has become increasingly important and has received greater attention from the academic community.
China's Marxist theory education entered a new stage of development with the formation of the country's first School of Marxism at Peking University in 1992. In 2005, "Marxist Theory" was approved and established as an independent primary discipline under the category of Law. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, the discipline of Marxism has entered a brand-new period of rapid expansion. Whether in terms of the number of independently established Schools of Marxism or the number of secondary disciplines, graduate degree programs, and undergraduate enrollment units for Marxist studies, there has been rapid growth, becoming a distinctive feature of the development of China's higher education in the New Era. Consequently, as contemporary Chinese and 21st-century Marxism, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and its component parts must be integrated into this system as quickly as possible and play a leading role, becoming a frontier field or "top priority" in the construction of Schools of Marxism and the discipline itself. Meanwhile, China's research and education in the environmental humanities and social sciences began in the mid-1980s. The historical process of the nation's Reform and Opening-up and the objective needs of socialist modernization jointly promoted the cross-fertilization of ecological and environmental issues with humanities and social science disciplines, gradually forming an (ecological) environmental humanities and social science with Chinese characteristics. Today, China's research and education in the environmental humanities and social sciences has developed into an emerging group of cross-disciplinary fields with the widest distribution and strongest inclusivity. It can be said that the combination of these two aspects provides strong support for the disciplinary construction of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization based on Schools of Marxism (disciplines) and shapes its configuration characteristics.
Specifically, it includes the following three levels or dimensions:
(1) The Dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization within the "Great Ideological and Political" Education System
The "Great Ideological and Political" [14] (dà sīzhèng) education system referred to here is a major measure for the reform of school ideological and political education that has received high attention and emphasis in China in recent years. Its core is to gradually construct a large-scale nurturing system of "great courses, great subjects, great processes, and great fields" through multiple means. This aims to ensure that school ideological and political education is consistent and holistic in its goals, progressive and complementary in its content, appropriate and continuous in its methods, and targeted and diversified in its evaluation, thereby better realizing the historical mission of fostering virtue through education (lìdé shùrén) [15] and cultivating "newcomers of the era."
Specifically regarding higher education institutions, Dong Xiaorong pointed out in 2019 that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization puts forward new requirements, new content, and a new mission for ideological and political education in universities. In particular, it is necessary to "take university ideological and political theory courses as the main channel for integration," "take network media as the new pathway for integration," and "take social practice as the main battlefield for integration." Xu Quanyao and Zhang Weili believe that strengthening the ecological civilization concepts and cultivation of young students is crucial. They argue for utilizing the ideological and political classroom—the main battlefield for fostering virtue—to ensure that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization enters the classrooms, enters the textbooks, enters the minds, and enters the teaching ranks. Specifically, they focus on four areas: "synergistic curriculum design," "optimizing disciplinary textbooks," "utilizing the 'hidden classroom,'" and "optimizing the teaching faculty."
Zhao Lixia further proposed that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization should be comprehensively integrated into various aspects and the entire process of "university ideological and political education theory courses," "university campus culture construction," and "daily management of university students." Gu Rui and Li Jungao emphasized that universities should, based on the core essence of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, start from the four aspects of courses, textbooks, students, and teachers to construct an effective path for integrating Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization into the teaching of ideological and political theory courses. Chen Anqi argued that university ideological and political courses should carry out education on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization through theoretical courses, social practice, and educational guidance to cultivate students' environmental moral consciousness, comprehensively optimize the ideological and political education path for college students, and prompt new breakthroughs in university ideological and political education.
Furthermore, public or mass communication in a general sense is similar to the pedagogical effects sought by "Great Ideological and Political" education, but it involves a broader scope and is not simply a matter of outputting or diffusing target information. For example, Li Xinlei pointed out in an analysis that regarding the formation process and results of the discourse system for global environmental governance concepts and policies, China needs to not only attach high importance to the discourse dissemination advantages of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization but also continuously optimize its international communication mechanisms and innovate its international communication pathways. This is especially true for focusing on global ecological civilization construction or international exchange practices—such as global climate change governance, the Eco Forum Global Guiyang, and the Green "Belt and Road" construction—to continuously improve the international communication effect and global influence of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization.
(2) The Integration of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization into the University Public Course System
At least for the time being, this field is the main battlefield for the systematic disciplinary interpretation and research of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. Its task is to organically embed the teaching and research of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization into the unified public theory course system offered by universities. In short, this involves both the question of which courses to enter and how to enter them. Regarding the former, there are three main approaches or points of emphasis: first, striving to integrate Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization into every course or the major public theory courses; second, continuously enhancing and enriching the specialized lectures on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization within the core (relevant) public theory courses; and third, gradually opening more systematic specialized courses on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. Regarding the latter, the focus is on highlighting the comprehensive characteristics and practical orientation of ecological civilization thought teaching.
For example, Dai Ligang analyzed issues related to integrating Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization into the teaching of "Basic Principles of Marxism" from two aspects: why and how to "integrate the view of ecological civilization into dialectical materialist theory" and "integrate the view of ecological productivity into historical materialist theory." Yang Zhao explored the integration of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization into the teaching of "Ideological and Moral Cultivation and Legal Basis" [16] (sīxiū kè) from three aspects: converting the textbook system into a teaching system to enhance targetedness and effectiveness, carrying out specialized teaching to improve educational results, and conducting social practice activities to promote the formation of behavioral habits.
Rao Pinliang emphasized that ecological civilization thought is an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. University public theory courses shoulder the major mission of cultivating builders and successors of the socialist cause, and they should actively explore effective paths for scientifically integrating it into the teaching of public theory courses. Hu Xiaoyi argued that the key point of integrating Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization into university public theory course teaching is to strengthen the exploration of the composition of the theoretical system. In this way, based on the textbook syllabus, the value norms, philosophical thinking, historical vision, and development of the era contained within it can be taught deeply and thoroughly.
Although Peking University established the country's earliest Research Center for Ecological Civilization as early as 2007, the formal teaching and research of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization began after the 18th National Congress of the CPC. It serves as specialized lecture content for the undergraduate public course "An Introduction to Mao Zedong Thought and the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" (which has been gradually adjusted since 2019 to "An Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era"), the Master’s student public course "Theory and Practice of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics," and the Doctoral student public course "Marxism and the Contemporary World." Currently, the teaching and research of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization at Peking University has formed the following four prominent characteristics: first, support from academic research; second, a systematic teaching approach; third, multimedia teaching methods; and fourth, support from academic institutions.
(3) Research and Talent Cultivation of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization in Disciplinary and Professional Construction
So far, efforts and progress in this area have mainly come from the following four (types of) theoretical propaganda and education institutions. First is the "Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization" established within the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in July 2021. This center and its predecessor have played an important role in propaganda, organization, and promotion through the seminars on studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, which have been held continuously since 2019, and the special issues of Environment and Sustainable Development edited on this basis. In 2022, they organized the publication of the Outline for the Study of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and are committed to compiling the textbook An Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization for higher education institutions. Additionally, other comprehensive "Research Centers (Institutes) for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" established across the country have set up their own research institutions or platforms for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization to carry out various forms of research and propaganda work. For example, in 2021, Beijing launched a major project titled "Research on the Scientific System of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era," covering six topical areas, and held a series of academic seminars. In early 2022, the Ministry of Education launched a major special project for philosophy and social science research themed "Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization," with plans to build an academic network and coordinating body for the interpretation and research of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization for universities nationwide.
Second, there are the series of institutions established by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) to strengthen systematic research and teaching on the theory and practice of ecological civilization. Examples include the "Think Tank for Ecological Civilization Research," which began construction in 2015, and the restructuring of the former Institute for Urban Development and Environment into the Institute of Ecological Civilization in 2020. Furthermore, in July 2019 and May 2021 respectively, the Center for Ecological Civilization Research of the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) and the CASS Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization were announced. The latter explicitly emphasizes its commitment to the construction of the "three major systems" [17] of ecological civilization research and has established research bases in areas such as Yan'an, Shandong, and Guizhou. Currently, in addition to various institutionalized academic activities such as large-scale thematic conferences, UCASS has also introduced "Ecological Civilization Theory and Practice," a professional graduate-level course that includes an introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization.
Third, there are the specialized institutions and related activities established by the Central Party School of the CPC (National Academy of Governance) centered on training and teaching Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. Following the 19th CPC National Party Congress in 2017, the Central Party School integrated relevant teaching and research offices and their personnel to establish the Department of Social and Ecological Civilization. This department is uniformly responsible for the teaching and training of ecological civilization theory and practice, including Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, throughout the entire school. Building on this foundation, it has gradually formed a relatively complete system of curricula, teaching methods, and textbooks primarily based on short-term training. Since 2018, the institution has organized disciplinary development collaboration meetings in Fuzhou, Guiyang, and Huzhou centered on the theme of studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. These have had a significant impact on the professionalization and standardization of training and teaching for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization within the nationwide Party School (Academy of Governance) system. Furthermore, in addition to corresponding teaching units in Party schools across various provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, several specialized Ecological Civilization (Cadre) Colleges have been established in recent years—such as the Zhejiang Ecological Civilization Cadre College (2017), the Yellow River Delta Ecological Civilization Cadre College (2020, restructured as the Shandong Ecological Civilization College in 2022), and the Jiangsu Provincial Ecological Civilization College (2022). These institutions play an active role in the research, publicity, and popularization of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, as well as the construction of training and teaching systems.
Fourth, there are the doctoral programs (and research directions) in ecological civilization construction or Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization established by universities such as Beijing Forestry University, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, and Peking University. The earliest university to explicitly establish a doctoral program for graduate education under the professional category of "Ecological Civilization Theory and Practice" was Beijing Forestry University. In 2013, it established a distinctly interdisciplinary secondary-discipline [18] doctoral program in "Ecological Civilization Construction and Management" under the primary discipline of "Agriculture and Forestry Economic Management." In 2022, it applied for a primary-discipline doctoral program in "Ecological Civilization Construction" under the newly established "Interdisciplinary" category, designating "Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization" as one of its five secondary-discipline directions. In contrast, the development of doctoral programs at Peking University and other institutions relies primarily on the primary discipline of Marxist Theory and the Research Institutes for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Following the 2021 independent establishment of "Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" as a secondary-discipline doctoral program under Marxist Theory, "Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization" became an independent research and teaching direction. Currently, universities such as Tsinghua and Fudan have also independently established secondary-discipline doctoral programs for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, within which research on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization serves as one specific research direction.
IV. Conclusion
It must be emphasized again that the discussion in this article is based on the following conceptual definition: research into the scientific system of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization can be roughly divided into two closely related but distinctly different issues: "scientific truthfulness" and "rationality of the scientific system." Accordingly, the author takes the scientific nature, standard-setting, and compliance with cognitive laws in "academic theory," "discursive articulation," and "disciplinary pedagogy" as the basic yardsticks or criteria for analyzing and determining the level of the scientific system in the interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and the paths for its improvement.
In summary, the scholarly analysis and elaboration of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization have attracted more attention from scholars and produced richer and more substantial academic results compared to the construction of the discourse system and the disciplinary system. Development in these latter two levels remains relatively weak. To a large extent, this is due to the inherent complexity or high requirements of these fields. For instance, the establishment of secondary-discipline doctoral programs for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is a complex issue involving many levels of the current disciplinary system; it does not depend solely on the cognitive awareness of relevant researchers and administrators.
Specifically, at the level of the academic system, the construction of theoretical logical systems developed diversely based on the "Six Principles" from the "May 18th Speech" [19] has gained consensus among academia and society on a broader scale. This reflects the vigorous promotion and positive results of the mainstream research, publicity, and interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. There remains vast space and potential for theoretical innovation in articulating the nature, characteristics, or contemporary manifestations of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization as a Marxist ecological theory. At the level of the discourse system, it is encouraging that more and more scholars are noticing the importance of the fundamental concepts, propositions, and judgments of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization for the discursive construction and communicative dissemination of this thought system. This means that after the 20th CPC National Congress, while paying more attention to the elaboration of the worldview and methodological significance of this thought, it is necessary to continue comprehensively improving the integrity, continuity, mutual construction, and logical rigor of thought and expression across all parts of current academic research. At the level of the disciplinary system, the approval and establishment of secondary-discipline doctoral programs for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization undoubtedly possess a landmark or leading significance. It is likely to become the catalyst or bridgehead for China's "Ecological Civilization (Construction) Studies" to move from long-term discussion and gestation toward actual creation and maturity. In other words, following the leading role played by the disciplines of environmental science and engineering in the early 1980s, a new round of disciplinary restructuring led by the environmental humanities and social sciences is worth anticipating. However, for current public course teaching and "Great Ideological and Political Education" [20] in universities, the most critical and even urgent task remains providing thematic or elective courses on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization that are academically substantive, multidimensional, and well-received. Only then can we consider how Marxist disciplines (and colleges) can make active contributions to the popularization and international dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and the development of Chinese environmental humanities and social sciences. Therefore, there remains immense room and potential for improvement in the construction of the "three major systems" of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and the scientific level of these systems' construction.
(Affiliation: School of Marxism, Peking University; Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, Peking University) Online Editor: Lian Yu Source: Marxism & Reality, 2023, No. 1