Once plagued by polluted waters and dust-covered trees, Yucun Village in east China's Zhejiang Province has blossomed into one of the world's \"Best Tourism Villages.\" This transformation is a testament to China's groundbreaking environmental philosophy: \"Lucid waters and lush mountains.\"
Two decades ago, Yucun relied on limestone mining and cement processing for its economy, leaving the landscape grey and lifeless. Recognizing the severe environmental impact, local officials made the pivotal decision to shut down these industries. This bold move earned praise from Xi Jinping, then Party secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). During his visit on August 15, 2005, Xi declared the closure of mines as \"a wise move,\" emphasizing that \"lucid waters and lush mountains are mountains of gold and silver.\"
This vision quickly resonated across China, guiding tens of thousands of villages to prioritize ecological health alongside economic growth. The global community took notice, with the United Nations Environment Programme promoting China's ecological strategies in 2013 and releasing a detailed report in 2016.
In recent years, China has intensified its commitment to sustainability. The country has implemented the strictest environmental protection laws, achieved a forest coverage rate exceeding 24%, and planted over 68 million hectares of new forests—the highest globally. Water quality has seen significant improvement, with nearly 85% of surface water sections reaching excellent quality levels.
Wildlife is making a remarkable comeback in China's expanding national parks, established in 2021 and covering 230,000 square kilometers. These parks protect nearly 30% of China’s key terrestrial wildlife species, ensuring the preservation of diverse ecosystems.
China's efforts extend to reducing carbon emissions, with a 36.7% decrease in CO2 emissions per unit of GDP since 2012. Air pollution indicators have also improved, boasting a 57% reduction in PM2.5 density from 2013 to 2022 and a 92% drop in days with serious air pollution.
As China approaches the second National Ecology Day on August 15, the country has unveiled comprehensive guidelines to accelerate its green transition across all economic and social sectors. These guidelines mark the nation's first systematic deployment of green targets, reinforcing China’s role as a global leader in sustainability.
Deepening its commitment, the recent Resolution of the Central Committee calls for further reforms in ecological conservation. Sun Jinlong, secretary of the Leading Party Members Group of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, highlighted plans to develop a responsibility system for building a Beautiful China and refine the environmental governance system. Upcoming initiatives include establishing a market-oriented innovation system for green technologies and expanding supervision over natural resource management.
China’s journey from environmental degradation to ecological resilience showcases the power of visionary leadership and collective action. As the nation continues to prioritize sustainability, its efforts not only benefit its own landscapes and people but also inspire global environmental progress.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
