Corresponding Authors: Liu Jingwei¹* and Saima Anwaar²
¹Academy of Marxism, Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, P.R. China
²College of Marxism, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, P.R. China
On December 15, 2022, at the opening ceremony of the second phase of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, President Xi Jinping observed:
“A thriving ecology is the foundation of a thriving civilization. We must work together to advance harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, build a community of all life on Earth, and create a clean and beautiful world.”
Earth is the only home humanity has. It has nurtured countless forms of life and sustained the progress of human civilization. Yet accelerating industrialization, rapid urbanization, and population growth have intensified global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. Addressing these challenges requires collective action—respecting nature, following its laws, protecting ecosystems, and abandoning short-sighted, self-serving approaches. Only through such cooperation can sustainable human development be realized. In recent years, China has committed itself to this shared responsibility, striving to contribute meaningfully to the building of a clean and beautiful world.
Action Speaks Louder Than Words
By the end of 2024, China completed the Taklamakan Desert Green Barrier Project—a 3,046-kilometer ecological protection belt forming a vast “green shield” around the desert. This landmark achievement has not only curbed desert expansion but also revitalized southern Xinjiang by creating new livelihood opportunities, improving agricultural conditions, and fostering industries linked to desert resources.
In Ordos, Inner Mongolia, a distinctive model of energy transition has taken shape. Harnessing wind and solar power, the region has rapidly developed clusters of new-energy industries, demonstrating how ecological protection and economic growth can advance together.
China’s Ecological Progress: Measurable Gains
Through coordinated efforts in carbon reduction, pollution control, ecological restoration, and green growth, China’s environmental quality has continued to improve since the launch of the 14th Five-Year Plan:
In 2024, average PM2.5 concentrations in major cities declined by 16.3 percent compared with 2020;
The proportion of days with good air quality reached 87.2 percent;
The share of surface water rated good or excellent reached 90.4 percent, surpassing 90 percent for the first time;
Forest coverage exceeded 25 percent, with forest stock volume surpassing 20 billion cubic meters;
Ninety percent of terrestrial ecosystem types and 74 percent of nationally protected wildlife species are now effectively conserved.
International Cooperation: China’s Global Contribution
China has complemented domestic ecological governance with growing international cooperation, supporting environmental protection efforts in partner countries.
Kazakhstan:
In the Akmola region of northern Kazakhstan, where steppe meets desert, strong Siberian winds offer abundant renewable-energy potential. Through Belt and Road cooperation, China and Kazakhstan have developed wind farms generating more than 800 million kWh of clean electricity annually, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 650,000 tons.
Tanzania:
Along the shores of Lake Victoria, fisherman Kato Msa recalls how water degradation and overfishing once threatened local livelihoods. Since 2013, Chinese research institutions have worked with Tanzanian fisheries centers to restore ecosystems, provide water-quality monitoring equipment, and train fishermen in sustainable fishing and fish-meal production—significantly improving incomes and ecological resilience.
Brazil:
The jointly constructed Belo Monte Ultra-High Voltage (UHV) transmission project delivers clean hydropower from the Amazon basin over long distances while minimizing ecological disruption. Experts note that more than 200 hectares of forest vegetation have been restored, with wildlife—including foxes—returning to previously affected areas.
South Africa:
China-built projects such as the De Aar Wind Power Project have been connected to South Africa’s grid, helping reduce reliance on coal and accelerate the country’s energy transition.
Insights from Global Scholars
Renowned American ecological economist Clifford Cobb has observed:
“Over the past twenty years, China has demonstrated that a nation can both protect its natural environment and create economic value. China’s innovative ideas and development path offer valuable inspiration. The theory of ecological civilization can foster new values and behavioral models, providing important lessons for global sustainable development.”
Toward a Shared Future
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China continues to integrate national development with global responsibility. Under the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, it remains committed to advancing a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world—one where development and nature coexist in lasting balance.
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