China is making significant strides in its journey toward modernization by prioritizing green development and ecological sustainability. Recently, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited the city of Jiujiang in Jiangxi Province to oversee local initiatives aimed at fostering a greener economy.
During his visit on October 10, 2023, Xi explored the Yangtze River National Cultural Park and the Sinopec Jiujiang Company. He witnessed firsthand the efforts in constructing the park, restoring the Yangtze River shoreline, and transforming the petrochemical industry towards sustainable practices.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has embraced the vision that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” driving the development of ecological civilization. This includes extensive afforestation projects and enhancing living environments across urban and rural areas.
The White Paper on China's Green Development in the New Era highlights impressive achievements: 64 million hectares of trees planted from 2012 to 2021, desertification control over 18.53 million hectares, and restoration of over 800,000 hectares of wetlands. Additionally, the share of clean energy in China's total energy consumption rose from 14.5% in 2012 to 25.5% by 2021, while coal usage declined from 68.5% to 56%.
In the industrial sector, China leads globally in manufacturing renewable energy facilities for wind and photovoltaic power. The steel industry exemplifies this progress, with 47 steel mills achieving whole-process ultra-low emissions by 2022. Investments in energy conservation and environmental protection reached 37.14 billion yuan in 2022, marking an 11.95% year-on-year increase among China Iron and Steel Association members.
These initiatives underscore China's commitment to sustainable growth, positioning the nation as a leader in green modernization and ecological preservation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
