Yu Hai: The Theoretical Innovation and Practical Power of the Major Thesis that "Man and Nature are a Community of Life"
"Ecological prosperity leads to the prosperity of civilization; ecological decline leads to the decline of civilization." In October 2017, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 19th CPC National Congress: "Humanity and nature form a life community; we must respect, adapt to, and protect nature." This significant thesis manifests the intrinsic requirements for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and represents a deepening and innovation in our understanding of the relationship between humanity and nature. To profoundly understand the "life community of humanity and nature" from its historical, theoretical, and practical dimensions is of great significance for grasping the connotation of Chinese-path modernization and for planning and advancing the construction of a Beautiful China with a higher standing, broader vision, and greater intensity.
The thesis that "humanity and nature form a life community" is a major theoretical innovation with deep theoretical roots that adheres to the integration of theory and practice
"A tree a thousand feet tall has roots; a river flowing ten thousand miles has a source." The thesis that "humanity and nature form a life community" is a major theoretical innovation based on Marxist thought on the relationship between humanity and nature, fine traditional Chinese ecological culture, and long-term practical exploration. It possesses a profound theoretical basis, cultural heritage, and practical foundation.
It is a major theoretical innovation based on Marxist thought on the relationship between humanity and nature. Marxism holds that humanity itself is a product of nature, developing within and along with its environment. Nature is the fundamental condition for human survival and development; it provides humanity not only with the means of subsistence but also with the means of production. It is precisely because of this relationship that the link between humanity and nature is the fundamental relationship of human society, and the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature is the eternal theme of human development. The thesis that "humanity and nature form a life community" further reveals the scientific laws governing this relationship. It holds that nature is the mother of life and that humans are born of nature. Humanity produces, lives, and develops through interaction with nature; if we treat nature well, nature will bestow its bounty upon us. To protect nature is to protect ourselves; to treat nature well is to treat ourselves well. Conversely, failing to respect nature or violating its laws will only invite its retribution. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Only by following the laws of nature can humanity effectively prevent detours in the exploitation and utilization of nature. Damage to nature will ultimately harm humanity itself—this is an irresistible law." If nature suffers systemic destruction, human survival and development become "water without a source or a tree without roots" [1]. This thesis fully embodies the Marxist views on nature and ecology, achieving the Sinicization and modernization of Marxist thought on the relationship between humanity and nature.
It is a major theoretical innovation based on fine traditional Chinese ecological culture. The Chinese nation has always respected and loved nature. The Chinese civilization, spanning over 5,000 years, has nurtured a rich ecological culture and accumulated the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation. The I Ching says: "Observe the patterns of heaven to understand the changes of the seasons" [2]. Laozi proposed: "Man follows the Earth, the Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows Nature" [3]. Mencius believed: "If the seasons of husbandry be not interfered with, the grain will be more than can be eaten; if close nets are not allowed to enter the pools and ponds, the fishes and turtles will be more than can be consumed; if the axes and bills enter the hills and forests only at the proper time, the wood will be more than can be used" [4]. Xunzi spoke of: "When the plants and trees are in the splendor of their flowering and fruiting, the axe should not enter the mountains or forests, so as not to cut short their life or end their growth" [5]. The Book of Rites: The Doctrine of the Mean states: "All things are nourished together without injuring each other; the courses of the Dao are pursued in parallel without collision" [6]. These concepts of the ancient Chinese embody a simple ecological wisdom and morality, emphasizing the unity of heaven, earth, and humanity, and linking natural ecology with human civilization. They advocate acting according to natural laws and taking natural resources at the proper time and in moderation. This thesis absorbs the ecological wisdom and morality of fine traditional Chinese culture, emphasizing "respecting, adapting to, and protecting nature, and promoting the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature," allowing traditional thoughts to radiate vigorous vitality in the New Era.
It is a major theoretical innovation based on long-term practical exploration. The thesis that "humanity and nature form a life community" is a theoretical innovation proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping on the basis of long-term practice, continuously deepening the understanding of ecological civilization construction. During his tenure as Secretary of the Zhengding County Party Committee in Hebei Province, Xi Jinping presided over the formulation of the "Overall Plan for Economic, Technical, and Social Development of Zhengding County," proposing: "We would rather forego money than have pollution; we must strictly prevent the relocation of pollution to our homes or the countryside." While working in Xiamen, he presided over the "1985–2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy," which included a special chapter on ecological and environmental issues. Adhering to a systems perspective, in 1988 he creatively proposed the "20-character policy" for the comprehensive treatment of Yundang Lake: "Governing the lake according to law, intercepting sewage for treatment, dredging and building banks, vitalizing the water body, and beautifying the environment." For over 30 years, Xiamen has persisted with a single blueprint to the end, using the governance of Yundang Lake as a starting point for systemic management and persisting over the long term to achieve a transformation from a "stinking lake" of the past into the "city’s drawing room." During his tenure in Shanghai, he requested that Chongming "be treated according to the idea of building an ecological island, doing so earnestly; once the direction is set, do not waver." While working in various local posts, Comrade Xi Jinping also repeatedly emphasized the economic value of the ecological environment. In Ningde, Fujian, he proposed the development idea of "singing mountain songs when living by the mountains and reciting sea sutras when living by the sea" [7], and creatively put forward the scientific thesis that "forests are reservoirs, money bags, and granaries." In April 1997, during an investigation in Changkou Village, Sanming, Fujian, he emphasized: "Green mountains and lucid waters are priceless treasures; mountainous areas should paint a good 'landscape painting' and do a good job with the articles of mountains, waters, and fields" [8]. For over 20 years, Changkou Village has persisted in this work, integrating ecological civilization concepts into "beautiful village" construction, and developing specialized industries such as under-forest economies, cultural tourism and study tours, forest health care, and sports. It has transformed from an impoverished "three-less village" [9] into a rich and beautiful village with clear water, green mountains, and social harmony. From Comrade Xi Jinping’s local practice, it is evident that wherever he went, he practiced the concept of sustainable development. On one hand, he emphasized that ecological environments should not be sacrificed for temporary local economic growth; on the other hand, he emphasized letting "green mountains and lucid waters" fully exert economic and social benefits to promote harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
Fundamental requirements and principles that must be adhered to in implementing the "life community of humanity and nature"
The thesis that "humanity and nature form a life community" contains a rich and profound essence. Currently, China’s economic and social development has entered a stage of high-quality development characterized by accelerated green and low-carbon transitions. However, our ecological civilization construction is still in a critical period where pressures overlap and we must move forward under a heavy burden. We must plan and advance ecological and environmental protection work with a higher standing, broader vision, and greater intensity. In implementing this thesis, we must firmly grasp the following fundamental requirements and principles.
Planning development from the height of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress: "We must firmly establish and practice the concept that green mountains and lucid waters are invaluable assets, and plan development from the height of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature." This is a new requirement for planning economic and social development based on China’s new journey of entering the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist country and marching toward the Second Centenary Goal [10]. China has completed the industrialization process in a few decades that took developed countries centuries. The environmental problems accumulated during rapid development have also entered a stage of high-intensity and frequent occurrence. The traditional development model of high input, high consumption, and high emissions is unsustainable, and the alarm for the strained relationship between humanity and nature has sounded. More importantly, as a large developing country with over 1.4 billion people, China has limited environmental capacity and fragile ecosystems. The state of the ecological environment has not yet undergone a fundamental turnaround. To achieve modernization as a whole, following the old path of Western countries is not feasible, as the pressure on resources and the environment would be unbearable. Chinese-path modernization is the modernization of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. Only by planning development from this height, using the coordinated development of economy, society, population, and nature as a criterion, and effectively integrating ecological civilization concepts, principles, and goals into all aspects and the whole process of economic and social development, can we solidly promote the steady and long-term progress of Chinese-path modernization.
Adhering to respecting, adapting to, and protecting nature. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Human development activities must respect, adapt to, and protect nature, otherwise we will face nature’s retaliation; no one can resist this law." Respecting nature emphasizes maintaining a heart of awe toward nature and scientifically recognizing and fully respecting the laws of natural ecosystems. Since humans are born of nature, we exist in a symbiotic relationship. Only by respecting natural laws can we effectively prevent detours in our exploitation of nature. Adapting to nature emphasizes actively adjusting to the objective laws of natural ecosystems and promoting economic and social development according to those laws. Protecting nature further emphasizes strengthening environmental protection and ecological restoration on the basis of respecting and adapting to nature. These three are closely related and dialectically unified, with no clear boundaries and are inseparable.
Correctly handling the relationship between high-quality development and high-level protection. In July 2023, at the National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly expounded on several major relationships that need to be handled in promoting ecological civilization construction. The first is the relationship between high-quality development and high-level protection, which holds a commanding and leading position and is of overall, fundamental, and long-term significance. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Handling the relationship between development and protection is a worldwide difficulty and an eternal subject facing human society." Currently, China’s economy has shifted from a stage of high-speed growth to a stage of high-quality development, and promoting the green and low-carbon transition of economic and social development is a key link in achieving high-quality development. High-quality development and high-level protection complement and reinforce each other. High-level protection is an important support for high-quality development; high-quality development that prioritizes ecology and green, low-carbon transitions can only be realized through high-level protection. Green development is an important component of the New Development Philosophy, focusing on solving the problem of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. It is an inevitable requirement for building a high-quality modern economic system. In implementing the thesis, we must correctly handle this relationship, continuously creating new drivers and advantages through high-level environmental protection, and achieving the harmonization of economic development and environmental protection.
Historical achievements in practicing the "life community of humanity and nature" in the New Era
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has conformed to the trends of the times and the people’s longing for a better life, incorporating ecological civilization construction into the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, and by practicing the thesis that "humanity and nature form a life community," historic, transformative, and comprehensive changes from theory to practice have occurred in China’s ecological civilization construction.
Significant results in the "battle to prevent and control pollution." General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must push deeper into the battle to prevent and control pollution, concentrating on tackling the prominent ecological and environmental problems surrounding the people, so they can truly feel the improvement in quality." Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party Central Committee has persisted in guaranteeing and improving people's livelihoods through development, actively responding to the increasing needs for a beautiful environment. Our skies are bluer, mountains greener, and waters clearer. Historic changes have occurred in air quality: the average concentration of PM2.5 in cities at or above the prefectural level nationwide dropped from 72 micrograms per cubic meter in 2013 to 29.3 in 2024, making China the country with the fastest improvement in air quality in the world. Water quality has undergone a transformative change, with the proportion of surface water at Grade I–III reaching 90.4% in 2024. The water quality of coastal waters has remained stable overall. The mainstream of the Yangtze River has maintained Grade II quality for five consecutive years, and the Yellow River for three. Soil environmental risks have been effectively controlled, rural environmental quality has significantly improved, and fundamental changes have occurred in soil environmental quality.
The green and low-carbon transition has accelerated. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Establishing and improving a green, low-carbon, and circular economic system and promoting a comprehensive green transition of economic and social development is the fundamental strategy for solving our country's ecological and environmental problems." Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, China has vigorously promoted the transformation and upgrading of industrial structures, energy structures, transport structures, and urban environmental governance structures, driving a comprehensive green and low-carbon transition of economy and society. The layout of green space has been gradually optimized, and a system for zoned ecological environmental control has been basically established. Positive results have been achieved in resolving production capacity characterized by "two highs and one low" [11], and the quality and efficiency of the green environmental protection industry have continued to rise. Non-fossil energy has achieved a developmental leap; the scale of development and utilization of renewable energy, as well as the production and sales of new energy vehicles, rank first in the world, making "green" the distinct hallmark of high-quality development. From 2013 to 2023, China supported an average annual economic growth of 6.1% with an average annual energy consumption growth rate of only 3.3%. In 2024, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP nationwide fell by 3.4% compared to the previous year.
The quality and stability of ecosystems have steadily improved. Since the 18th National Congress, China has continuously advanced major ecological projects such as large-scale land greening, protection and restoration of wetlands, rivers, and lakes, desertification prevention and control, and soil and water conservation. It has implemented 52 integrated protection and restoration projects for mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts [12], completing the treatment of a cumulative area exceeding 100 million mu [13]. We have deepened the construction of the ecological protection regulatory system, fully implemented the ecological protection red line system, continuously increased supervision over ecological damage, and deeply advanced the creation of ecological civilization demonstrations. The overall pattern of ecosystems remains stable, and their quality continues to improve. The functions of ecosystems in water conservation, soil maintenance, and biodiversity maintenance remain basically stable, while windbreak, sand fixation, and carbon sink functions have been significantly enhanced. The Ecological Quality Index (EQI) stands at 59.95, with a comprehensive evaluation of "Category II," indicating that China possesses relatively rich biodiversity, a high proportion of natural ecosystem coverage, a relatively complete ecological structure, and well-developed functions. The area marked by ecological protection red lines nationwide accounts for more than 30% of the total land area, and the forest coverage rate exceeds 25%. A system of protected natural areas with national parks as the mainstay has been basically established.
Work on reaching carbon peak and carbon neutrality has achieved positive results. In September 2020, during the general debate of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Xi Jinping solemnly announced: "China will scale up its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions by adopting more vigorous policies and measures. China aims to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060." Our country has firmly implemented the national strategy for actively responding to climate change, with positive progress made in both mitigation and adaptation. We have constructed a complete and systematic "1+N" policy framework [14] for carbon peak and carbon neutrality, promoted carbon peaking actions in key fields, and established and smoothly operated the world's largest carbon emissions trading market. We have formulated and implemented a national strategy for climate change adaptation, striving to enhance the climate resilience of natural ecosystems, economic and social systems, and key vulnerable regions. Efforts to promote the synergy of pollution reduction and carbon reduction have seen clear results; from 2013 to 2022, while sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions fell by 85% and 60% respectively, carbon emission intensity dropped synergistically by 34.4%.
The modernization level of the ecological environment governance system and governance capacity has been continuously raised. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must improve the modernization level of the ecological environment governance system and governance capacity, and refine an environmental governance system characterized by Party committee leadership, government guidance, enterprise responsibility, and the joint participation of social organizations and the public." Since the 18th National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has integrated institutional construction throughout the process of ecological civilization construction, and the "Four Pillars and Eight Props" [15] of the ecological civilization institutional system have basically taken shape. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the Opinions on Accelerating the Promotion of Ecological Civilization Construction and the Overall Plan for the Reform of the Ecological Civilization System, along with dozens of specific reform plans. These have gradually promoted the establishment of fundamental systems, including the property rights system for natural resource assets, the system for the development and protection of national space, the environmental governance system, the market system for environmental governance and ecological protection, and the system for evaluation, assessment, and accountability of ecological civilization performance. This represents a systemic reshaping of the ecological civilization institutional system. We have steadily and orderly advanced the codification of ecological and environmental laws, formulating or revising over 30 laws, more than 100 administrative regulations, and over 1,000 local regulations related to ecological and environmental protection. We have also formulated and implemented specific intra-Party regulations such as the Provisions on Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection Work.
Upholding the Principle that Humanity and Nature are a Community of Life to Jointly Build a Clean and Beautiful World
Currently, the trend of global warming continues, extreme weather events are more frequent, the rate of global species extinction is accelerating, and the situation of land desertification remains severe. Global environmental governance faces unprecedented difficulties. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Confronted by ecological and environmental challenges, humanity is a community with a shared future where we rise and fall together; no country can remain unaffected in isolation." This provides the direction for the international community to uphold the principle that humanity and nature are a community of life, to join hands in addressing the challenges of global environmental governance, and to build a clean and beautiful world.
Joining hands to address the challenge of climate change. Climate change is a common challenge for all humanity. Responding to climate change concerns the future and destiny of mankind. Facing the difficulties and challenges of global climate governance, the international community must show unprecedented ambition and action, dare to take responsibility, and work with one heart and mind to actively respond to climate change and jointly seek a path for the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature. We must adhere to multilateralism, uphold the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and promote the construction of a fair, reasonable, and win-win global environmental and climate governance system. We must insist on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement as the basic legal compliance for international cooperation in responding to climate change. We should focus on pragmatic actions, provide support in technology, finance, and capacity building, and pragmatically promote a just transition. Developed countries should take the lead in fulfilling their responsibilities and obligations to reduce emissions and provide funding, ensuring that climate change measures are implemented. We must accelerate the green transition, driven by scientific and technological innovation, to promote the transformation and upgrading of energy, industrial, and consumption structures, exploring new paths for the coordination of development and protection.
Working together to advance the process of biodiversity governance. In his keynote speech at the Leaders' Summit of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), President Xi Jinping pointed out: "Biodiversity makes Earth full of vigor and serves as the foundation for human survival and development. Protecting biodiversity helps maintain our Earth home and promotes human sustainable development." Properly responding to the challenge of biodiversity loss and seeking harmony for all living things is an arduous task with a long way to go; we must work together and take urgent action. We must maintain a fair and reasonable global order for biodiversity protection, build global consensus, and form a powerful collective force for global biodiversity governance. We should earnestly fulfill the Convention on Biological Diversity and its related protocols, promote the implementation of the targets in the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework," and support developing countries in enhancing their capacities to synergistically address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. We must promote biodiversity protection and sustainable utilization, drive green development through biodiversity protection, and accelerate the green transition of developmental modes and lifestyles.
Continuously deepening international cooperation in fields such as desertification prevention and control, marine pollution governance, and nuclear safety. We will unswervingly fulfill our obligations under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, strengthen international cooperation in sand prevention and control, and jointly promote the governance of global desert ecosystems so that deserts may benefit humanity. We will deepen international exchanges in the marine field, cooperate to address global marine ecological environmental issues such as land-based pollution, marine litter, and microplastics, jointly protect the security of the marine ecological environment, promote the development of the blue economy, steadily advance global marine environmental governance, and build a maritime community with a shared future. We will deepen international cooperation in nuclear safety, build international consensus on strengthening nuclear safety, and strengthen the construction of the international nuclear safety system.
Jointly building a Green "Belt and Road." In May 2017, at the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, President Xi Jinping pointed out: "We should practice the new concept of green development and advocate a green, low-carbon, circular, and sustainable way of life and production. We should strengthen cooperation in ecological and environmental protection and build a sound ecosystem so as to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." We must uphold the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit, deepening Belt and Road partnerships and advancing high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road." We should improve multilateral cooperation platforms such as the Belt and Road International Coalition for Green Development, implement the Green Silk Road Envoys Program, and continuously deepen cooperation in green infrastructure, green energy, and green transportation. We will solidly promote the implementation of projects in fields like climate change and biodiversity protection, ensuring that "green" truly becomes the hallmark of high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road." Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, the joint construction of a Green "Belt and Road" conforms to the aspirations of people in all countries for a path of civilized development with a sound ecology. It broadens the path toward green and low-carbon modernization and contributes Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to building a clean and beautiful world, promoting global ecological governance, and resolving the global ecological crisis.