Foreign Countries Highly Appraise China’s Achievements in Ecological Civilization Construction in the New Era

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has blazed a unique path of ecological civilization construction suited to its own national conditions. This has not only directed China to stride forward toward a Beautiful China but also made significant contributions to improving the global ecological environment, winning widespread international attention and positive appraisal.

党的十八大以来，在习近平生态文明思想引领下，中国走出了一条适合自身国情的独特的生态文明建设道路，不仅指引中国朝着美丽中国方向大步前进，也为改善全球生态环境作出巨大贡献，赢得了国际社会广泛关注与积极评价。

Foreign Figures from All Walks of Life Highly Affirm China’s Achievements in Ecological Civilization Construction

国外各界人士高度肯定中国生态文明建设成就

China actively participates in global environmental governance and earnestly fulfills its obligations under environmental treaties related to climate change and biodiversity. It has already completed ahead of schedule the targets set for 2020 concerning climate change response and the establishment of nature reserves. The international community highly recognizes these achievements and has expressed praise.

中国积极参与全球环境治理，切实履行气候变化、生物多样性等环境相关条约义务，已提前完成2020年应对气候变化和设立自然保护区相关目标。国际社会高度认可这一成就，并纷纷点赞。

“China’s green development is already at the forefront of the world.” Hans Hendrischke, Professor of Chinese Business and Management at the University of Sydney Business School, believes that after decades of rapid economic development, China places greater emphasis on environmental protection and developing a green economy, and the development needs in various aspects have also stimulated China’s path toward green innovation. Yu Jie, Senior Research Fellow and China Programme Director at the LSE IDEAS Diplomatic and International Strategy Research Centre, pointed out that ecological civilization construction is not only a necessity for environmental protection but also a need for China’s next phase of economic transformation. It is China’s solemn commitment to the world and a positive manifestation of China’s continued implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, demonstrating the responsibility of a major country. Lina Den Grotenhuijsen, Editor-in-Chief of the Flemish edition of *China Today* magazine, noted: “China’s green development is already at the forefront of the world.”

“中国绿色发展已走在世界前列”。悉尼大学商学院中国工商管理学教授汉斯·杭智科认为，在经历了数十年经济高速发展后，中国更加重视环保和发展绿色经济，各方面的发展需求也刺激了中国走向绿色创新之路。伦敦政治经济学院外交与国际战略研究中心高级研究员、中国项目主管于洁指出，生态文明建设不仅是环境保护的需要，而且是中国下一步经济转型的需要，是中国对世界的庄严承诺，也是中国继续履行气候变化《巴黎协定》的积极表现，显示了大国担当。比利时弗拉芒语版《今日中国》杂志社总编辑丽娜·登格鲁丹伊森指出：“中国绿色发展已走在世界前列。”

“China has blazed a new path in the field of ecological construction.” Clifford Cobb, Editor-in-Chief of the *American Journal of Economics and Sociology*, praised China for blazing a new path in the field of ecological construction. He believes that China is one of the leaders in today’s green energy revolution, and the development path China has taken is completely different from that of European and American countries. China’s pollution control provides a model for other countries. Dr. Rowan, a well-known American environmental scholar, pointed out that China’s efforts and achievements in ecological civilization construction are evident to all, and China’s progress has a profound impact on the future of sustainable development for all humanity. “I joyfully witnessed China’s determination and actions in building an ecological civilization and promoting green sustainable development from top to bottom.” Professor Yoshio Sasaki from the School of Environment, Resources and Development at the Asian Institute of Technology believes that “China’s contribution to biodiversity conservation is particularly precious. China’s effective protection and restoration of biodiversity in ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and rivers are crucial for maintaining global ecological balance and promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.”

“中国在生态建设领域开辟了新路”。《美国经济学与社会学杂志》主编克利福德·柯布称赞中国在生态建设领域开辟了新路。他认为，中国是当今绿色能源革命的领导者之一，中国走过的发展道路完全不同于欧美国家，中国对污染的治理为其他国家提供了样板。美国知名环保学者罗文博士指出，中国在生态文明建设方面的努力和成果有目共睹，中国的进步对全人类可持续发展的未来影响深远，“我欣喜地见证了中国自上而下建设生态文明、促进绿色可持续发展的决心和行动”。亚洲理工学院环境、资源与发展学院教授佐佐木喜夫认为，“中国对生物多样性保护作出的贡献尤为珍贵。中国有效保护修复湿地、森林、河流等生态系统中的生物多样性，对于维护全球生态平衡、促进人与自然和谐共生至关重要。”

“Protecting the ecological environment so well is an unimaginably great achievement.” Manish Chand, President and Editor-in-Chief of India Writes Network, expressed admiration, saying: “In the past five years, China has achieved tremendous results in poverty alleviation, and it has also protected the ecological environment so well. This is an unimaginably great achievement.” In the view of Masamichi Sanfuku, Professor Emeritus at Reitaku University in Japan, since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Chinese government has attached great importance to addressing environmental issues such as air, water, and soil pollution, placed greater emphasis on ecological civilization construction, and adopted a series of effective measures that have tangibly improved the environment. Say Chhum, President of the Senate of Cambodia, stated that China has proposed a series of new measures in ecological civilization construction, which are admirable. “I believe that through a series of measures, China’s ecological environment will get better and better, and the goal of a Beautiful China will be achieved.”

“把生态环境保护得这么好，这是令人难以想象的伟大成就”。印度写作网总裁兼总编辑马尼什·昌德非常羡慕地说：“5年来，中国在脱贫攻坚上取得了巨大的成果，还把生态环境保护得这么好，这是令人难以想象的伟大成就。”在日本丽泽大学名誉教授三潴正道看来，中共十八大以来，中国政府高度重视应对大气、水、土壤污染等环境问题，更加重视生态文明建设，采取了一系列行之有效的措施，切实改善了环境。柬埔寨参议院主席赛冲表示，中国在生态文明建设方面提出一系列新举措，令人钦佩，“相信通过一系列措施，中国生态环境将越来越好，并将实现美丽中国的目标。”

Foreign Figures from All Walks of Life Pay Close Attention to the Experience of China’s Ecological Civilization Construction

国外各界人士高度关注中国生态文明建设的经验

While affirming China’s achievements in ecological civilization construction, foreign figures from all walks of life pay even more attention to summarizing the experience behind China’s success in ecological civilization construction.

国外各界人士在肯定中国生态文明建设取得成就的同时，更加注重总结中国生态文明建设取得成就的经验。

“We see that China’s top leadership has set a clear direction in the field of environmental protection and demonstrated firm determination.” Daniel Dudek, Chief Economist of the Environmental Defense Fund, believes: “For China and the whole world, ecological civilization is a very bold concept. The Communist Party of China is the first ruling party to incorporate ecological civilization construction into its action program.” Ibrahim Thiaw, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, stated that we see China’s top leadership has set a clear direction in the field of environmental protection and demonstrated firm determination. China’s environmental protection decisions have sent a positive signal to the world. China’s environmental protection efforts will not only bring well-being to the Chinese people but also benefit people globally.

“我们看到中国高层在环保领域确定了明晰的方向，并展现出坚定的决心”。美国环保协会首席经济学家杜丹德认为：“对于中国和全世界来说，生态文明是一个很有胆识的理念，中国共产党是第一个把生态文明建设写入行动纲领的执政党。”联合国环境规划署副执行主任易卜拉辛·塞奥表示，我们看到中国高层在环保领域确定了明晰的方向，并展现出坚定的决心。中国的环保决策向全世界释放了积极信号，中国的环保努力不仅为中国人民带来福祉，也将利好全球人民。

“The ‘Two Mountains’ concept provides strong theoretical support for China’s ecological civilization construction and green development.” [1]1 The unity of heaven and humanity (天人合一) is a traditional Chinese philosophical concept emphasizing the harmonious relationship between the natural world (heaven) and human society. Bala Ram Thapa, Executive Chairman of the Nepal China Research Centre, pointed out that the widespread acclaim for China’s ecological construction achievements is not only an affirmation of China’s development philosophy but also embodies the common vision of people worldwide for future global green development. Balakrishna Pisupati, Senior Expert at the United Nations Development Programme, believes that China has taken ecological civilization as a key national development priority, thereby guiding and creating a future-oriented new development model and concept. John B. Cobb Jr., Academician of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, believes that the “Two Mountains” concept balances economic development and environmental protection, forging a path of ecological civilization, which is a path of high-quality green development. The “Two Mountains” concept provides strong theoretical support for China’s ecological civilization construction and green development.

“‘两山’理念为中国的生态文明建设和绿色发展提供了强大的理论支撑”。尼泊尔中国研究中心执行主席巴特拉伊指出，中国生态建设成就获得广泛赞誉，这不仅是对中国发展理念的肯定，也寄托着世界人民对全球未来绿色发展的共同愿景。联合国开发计划署高级专家巴拉克里斯纳·皮苏帕提认为，中国将生态文明作为国家发展的一个关键优先事项，以此引导并开创了一个面向未来的新发展模式及概念。美国国家人文与科学院院士小约翰·柯布认为，“两山”理念兼顾经济发展和环境保护，走出了生态文明之路，这是高质量的绿色发展之路。“两山”理念为中国的生态文明建设和绿色发展提供了强大的理论支撑。

“China has unique advantages, especially tremendous institutional advantages.” In the view of Japanese economist Yoshinori Egara, building an ecological civilization requires improving national policies and raising the awareness of enterprises and individuals. In these aspects, China has unique advantages, especially tremendous institutional advantages. American scholar Roy Morrison pointed out that only China can make such big decisions and accomplish such major undertakings—leading the world on a path of sustainable development. Zhang Jianyu, China Program Director of the Environmental Defense Fund, believes that the Chinese government has strong execution capabilities. Therefore, when the government recognizes the importance of environmental issues, it can break through interest barriers. Once the “sleeping lion” of China’s ecological civilization construction awakens, the advantages and energy it unleashes are incomparable to those of traditional Western environmental protection systems.

“中国具有得天独厚的优势，尤其是在制度上拥有巨大优势”。在日本经济学家江原规由看来，构建生态文明，需要完善国家政策，提高企业和个人的意识，在这些方面，中国具有得天独厚的优势，尤其是在制度上拥有巨大优势。美国学者罗伊·莫里森指出，只有中国能够做得了这样大的决定，办得了这样的大事——引领世界走可持续发展道路。美国环保协会中国项目主任张建宇认为，中国政府有强大的执行能力，因此，当政府意识到环保问题的重要性时，就可以打破利益藩篱。一旦中国生态文明建设的“睡狮”觉醒，所爆发出的优势和能量是传统的西方环保体系无法比拟的。

“China has clearly demonstrated its willingness to put its commitments to ecological civilization construction into practice through specific policies.” Benoit Bosquet, Country Director for China at the World Bank, stated: “China has already formulated many very good plans. For example, in the field of green finance, China has become a global leader. In addition, China vigorously promotes the river chief system and lake chief system; these are very innovative institutional arrangements.” [2]2 Ecological protection red lines (生态保护红线) are a Chinese policy tool designating areas of critical ecological importance that are subject to strict protection and development restrictions. American scholar Roy Morrison said that China has clearly demonstrated its willingness to put its commitments to ecological civilization construction into practice through specific policies. Wang Zhihe, Director of the China Project of the Center for Process Studies in the United States, stated that building an ecological civilization has been elevated to the level of national strategy and national will in China, which reflects China’s initiative to assume its ecological responsibility as a responsible major country.

“中国通过具体政策，清楚表明了将生态文明建设承诺付诸实践的意愿”。世界银行中国局国别业务主任戴柏乐表示：“中国已经制定了许多非常好的规划。像是在绿色金融领域，中国已成为全球领跑者。除此之外，中国大力推行河长制、湖长制，这些都是非常创新的体制安排。”美国学者罗伊·莫里森说，中国通过具体政策，清楚表明了将生态文明建设承诺付诸实践的意愿。美国过程研究中心中国项目部负责人王治河则表示，建设生态文明已被中国提到国家战略和国家意志的高度，这体现了中国作为一个负责任的大国主动承担起自己的生态重任。

“China’s achievements in ecological civilization construction today are inseparable from the efforts of every Chinese person.” John B. Cobb Jr., Academician of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, said that China’s achievements in ecological civilization construction today are inseparable from the efforts of every Chinese person and from the concept of “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” proposed by Chinese leaders. Mahesh Pradhan, Programme Officer of the International Environmental Technology Centre at the United Nations Environment Programme, stated: “The environmental awareness of the Chinese people is getting higher and higher. The formation of this widespread environmental awareness is crucial for green development.” Masamichi Sanfuku, Professor Emeritus at Reitaku University in Japan, believes that in recent years, China has achieved brilliant results in ecological civilization construction, and the people’s consciousness and initiative in participating in ecological civilization construction have significantly increased. Alain Rabaute, President of the France-China Friendship Federation, pointed out that in recent years, China has increased environmental protection efforts at all levels, including policy, funding, and technology. “The smooth progress of these efforts is attributed to China’s continuously improving ecological and environmental protection systems, continuously innovating ecological governance and protection methods, and extensive public participation.”

“中国生态文明建设取得今天的成就与每个中国人的努力分不开”。美国国家人文与科学院院士小约翰·柯布说，中国生态文明建设取得今天的成就与每个中国人的努力分不开，与中国领导人提出的“绿水青山就是金山银山”的理念分不开。联合国环境规划署国际环境技术中心项目官员马赫什·普拉丹表示：“中国民众的环境保护意识越来越高，这种普遍环保意识的形成对于绿色发展来说至关重要。”日本丽泽大学名誉教授三潴正道认为，近年来，中国生态文明建设取得辉煌成就，民众参与生态文明建设的自觉性和主动性显著增强。法中友好协会联合会会长阿兰·拉巴特指出，近年来，中国在政策、资金和技术等各层面都加大了环境保护力度。“这些工作的顺利推进，归功于中国不断完善的生态环境保护制度，不断创新的生态治理和保护方式，以及民众广泛参与。”

“China’s ecological civilization originates from concepts in traditional Chinese culture such as the unity of heaven and humanity [1]1 The unity of heaven and humanity (天人合一) is a traditional Chinese philosophical concept emphasizing the harmonious relationship between the natural world (heaven) and human society. and the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature.” Mahesh Pradhan, a project officer at the United Nations Environment Programme’s International Environmental Technology Centre, believes that China’s ecological civilization originates from concepts in traditional Chinese culture such as the unity of heaven and humanity and the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. “Green development means properly handling the harmonious relationship between humans and nature. The green economy will become a future economic growth point and will be more closely linked to the lives of ordinary people.” Harro von Senger, a tenured professor at the University of Freiburg in Germany, believes that the idea of “the unity of heaven and humanity” represents Chinese wisdom, and that China is qualified to lead the world along the path of ecological civilization.

“中国的生态文明建设来源于中国传统文化中天人合一、人与自然和谐相处等理念”。联合国环境规划署国际环境技术中心项目官员马赫什·普拉丹认为，中国的生态文明建设来源于中国传统文化中天人合一、人与自然和谐相处等理念。“绿色发展就是处理好人与自然的和谐关系。绿色经济将成为未来经济的发展点，与老百姓的生活更加紧密。”德国弗莱堡大学终身教授胜雅律认为，“天人合一”的思想代表着中国智慧，中国有资格引领世界走生态文明的道路。

Individuals from various sectors abroad highly praise China for contributing Chinese wisdom to global ecological civilization construction.

国外各界人士高度赞誉中国为全球生态文明建设贡献了中国智慧

Facing global ecological and environmental challenges, China took the lead in releasing the *China National Plan on Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development*, implementing the *National Climate Change Plan (2014–2020)*, depositing its instrument of ratification of the *Paris Agreement* with the United Nations, and jointly establishing the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition with international agencies such as the UN Environment Programme. This demonstrates China’s new contributions to global ecological civilization construction and has received widespread acclaim from the international community.

面对全球生态环境挑战，中国率先发布《中国落实2030年可持续发展议程国别方案》，实施《国家应对气候变化规划（2014—2020年）》，向联合国交存《巴黎协定》批准文书，同联合国环境署等国际机构共建“一带一路”绿色发展国际联盟。这彰显了中国为全球生态文明建设做出的新贡献，得到国际社会的普遍赞誉。

“China continues to make progress on the path of ecological civilization, bringing a ray of hope to global ecological civilization construction.” John B. Cobb Jr., an academician of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, believes: “China continues to make progress on the path of ecological civilization, bringing a ray of hope to global ecological civilization construction.” China has shown the world that environmental protection and economic development can go hand in hand, and that the socialist system with Chinese characteristics performs better in this regard than the Western capitalist system. Academician Cobb stated, “China’s great proposition of moving toward ecological civilization is a tremendous contribution China has made to the world in the 21st century.”

“中国在生态文明建设的道路上不断取得进步，给全球生态文明建设带来了希望之光”。美国国家人文科学院院士小约翰·柯布认为：“中国在生态文明建设的道路上不断取得进步，给全球生态文明建设带来了希望之光。”中国向世界展示了环境保护和经济发展并行不悖，中国特色社会主义制度在这方面比西方资本主义制度做得更好。柯布院士表示，“中国提出走向生态文明这个伟大的主张，是21世纪中国对世界作出的巨大贡献。”

“In global environmental governance, the world needs the Chinese model.” Erik Solheim, former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, believes that in global environmental governance, the world needs the Chinese model. “We look forward to seeing China’s leadership, and to seeing the development concept of ecological civilization become a global concept, not just a Chinese one.” Janice Singer, Director of EU Strategic Relations at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Europe Program, also believes that “while achieving rapid economic development, China has innovated models, vigorously protected natural resources and biodiversity, and accumulated rich experience.” China has established a territorial spatial planning system with clear objectives and well-defined responsibilities, implemented differentiated management methods for the use of natural ecological spaces, and delineated ecological protection red lines [2]2 Ecological protection red lines (生态保护红线) are a Chinese policy tool designating areas of critical ecological importance that are subject to strict protection and development restrictions., providing a good example for promoting biodiversity conservation and strengthening inter-departmental government coordination.

“在全球环境治理中，世界需要中国样本”。联合国环境规划署前执行主任埃里克·索尔海姆认为，在全球环境治理中，世界需要中国样本。“我们期待看到中国的领导力，看到生态文明建设的发展理念成为全球理念，而不仅仅是中国的。”国际野生生物保护学会欧洲项目欧盟战略关系总监珍妮丝·辛格也认为，“中国在实现经济快速发展的同时，创新模式，大力保护自然资源和生物多样性，积累了丰富经验。”中国建立目标明确、责权清晰的国土空间规划体系，实行差别化的自然生态空间用途管制办法，划定生态保护红线，为促进生物多样性保护、加强政府部门间协作提供了良好范例。

“China not only fulfills its own commitments through concrete actions but has also laid an important foundation for the development of the world’s ecological economy.” An article on the website of the South African Independent Media group states that China has made significant progress in increasing its forest coverage rate in recent years. “By vigorously promoting land greening, China’s ‘appearance’ is constantly improving. China is moving towards the world with a green landscape. China’s green development experience is worth learning from.” British economist GoodEco believes that China not only fulfills its own commitments through concrete actions but has also laid an important foundation for the development of the world’s ecological economy. “China has made ecological civilization construction an important national development goal and insists on taking a green, inclusive, and sustainable development path.” Nasser Bouchiba, President of the Morocco-Africa China Cooperation and Development Association, stated that countries such as Morocco have begun to learn from China’s valuable experience in desertification control, which is a precious asset China has created for the world.

“中国不但以实际行动实现自身诺言，还为世界生态经济发展打下了重要基础”。南非独立传媒网站文章说，中国近年来在提高森林覆盖率方面取得了长足进步。“通过大力推进国土绿化，中国的‘颜值’不断提升。中国正以绿意盎然的面貌走向世界。中国绿色发展经验值得借鉴。”英国经济学家古德埃科认为，中国不但以实际行动实现自身诺言，还为世界生态经济发展打下了重要基础。“中国把生态文明建设作为国家发展重要目标，坚持走绿色、包容、可持续发展道路。”摩洛哥非洲中国合作与发展协会主席纳赛尔·布希巴表示，摩洛哥等国已开始借鉴中国沙漠化防治的宝贵经验，这是中国为世界创造的宝贵财富。

(Author: Professor at the Overseas China Studies Research Center, Beijing Union University)

（作者：北京联合大学海外中国学研究中心教授）

Online Editor: Zhang Jian

网络编辑：张剑