A wave of global voices converged in Beijing in the Chinese mainland this Thursday to explore President Xi Jinping’s eco-civilization concept, summed up as “Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains Are Invaluable Assets.” Participants called the vision a blueprint for aligning economic growth with ecological protection on a global scale.
Jointly organized by the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Centre, the seminar marked the 20th anniversary of the concept that President Xi first introduced in August 2005. Experts say this milestone is a chance to reflect on two decades of progress and to chart a course for future cooperation.
Representatives from UN agencies, foreign embassies in the Chinese mainland, international NGOs and leading universities and think tanks from nine countries—spanning North America, Europe and Asia—shared best practices and called for deeper international collaboration on eco-friendly modernization.
Delegates highlighted how the concept has influenced policies that balance GDP growth with green priorities. Data show that eco-tourism revenue in pilot regions has grown by double digits in recent years, underlining the concept’s practical benefits.
President Xi first coined the phrase during a visit to Yucun Village in Zhejiang Province in the Chinese mainland, where villagers had closed limestone mines and cement factories to heal the local environment. The move has become a powerful example of a community-led green transition.
Today, Yucun has reinvented itself as a hub for ecological tourism, demonstrating that sustainable industries can drive growth without costing the planet. As the world gears up for the 20th anniversary of this ecological vision in 2025, seminar attendees agreed that forging cross-border partnerships will be vital to building a cleaner, more resilient future.
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Seminar highlights global importance of Xi's eco-civilization concept
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