Deeply Study and Comprehend the Great Significance of *Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Ecological Civilization*

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, proceeding from the height of the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, has profoundly grasped the important position and strategic significance of ecological civilization construction in the cause of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, vigorously promoted theoretical, practical, and institutional innovation in ecological civilization, put forward a series of new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies, and led China’s ecological civilization construction to undergo historic, transformative, and overall changes from theory to practice. The construction of a Beautiful China has taken major steps forward, giving rise to Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. The recently published first volume of *Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Ecological Civilization* (hereinafter referred to as the *Selected Works*) systematically reflects the rich connotation, scientific system, and historic contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, providing an authoritative textbook for deeply studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization.

党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央从中华民族永续发展的高度出发，深刻把握生态文明建设在习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想事业中的重要地位和战略意义，大力推动生态文明理论创新、实践创新、制度创新，提出一系列新理念新思想新战略，引领我国生态文明建设从理论到实践都发生了历史性、转折性、全局性变化，美丽中国建设迈出重大步伐，形成了习近平生态文明思想。近日出版的《习近平生态文明文选》第一卷（以下简称《文选》），系统反映了习近平生态文明思想的丰富内涵、科学体系和历史性贡献，为深入学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想特别是习近平生态文明思想提供了权威教材。

Profoundly Grasp the

深刻把握生态文明建设的

Important Position and Strategic Significance of Ecological Civilization Construction

重要地位和战略意义

Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization profoundly grasps the historical prerequisite for achieving sustainable development, endowing ecological civilization with an unprecedentedly important strategic position. Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has possessed the ecological wisdom of “the unity of heaven and humanity” [1]1 “The unity of heaven and humanity” (天人合一) is a classical Chinese philosophical concept emphasizing harmony between nature and human society.. However, since the founding of New China, the pressure on resources and the environment brought about by the rapid industrialization process has been unprecedented. The Communist Party of China clearly recognizes that the extensive development model of high consumption and high pollution is unsustainable, and regards breaking through the bottleneck constraints of resources and the environment as a difficult test in the great journey of achieving modernization. To this end, it is necessary to abandon the old path of “eating the food of our ancestors and cutting off the road for our descendants” [2]2 “Eating the food of our ancestors and cutting off the road for our descendants” (吃祖宗饭、断子孙路) is a Chinese idiom criticizing short-sighted development that depletes resources for immediate gain at the expense of future generations., place ecological civilization construction in a prominent position, and integrate it into all aspects and the entire process of economic, political, cultural, and social construction. This is not only a profound transformation of the traditional development model but also a solemn commitment to the survival foundation of future generations, demonstrating the strong historical responsibility of the Communist Party of China to be responsible to history and to the future of the nation. Looking to the future, we must place ecological civilization construction in a more important and more prominent position, firmly establish and practice the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” [3]3 “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” (绿水青山就是金山银山) is a signature slogan of Xi Jinping, linking environmental protection to economic value., unswervingly follow the civilized development path of production development, affluent living, and sound ecology, support high-quality development with a high-quality ecological environment, accelerate the promotion of modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature, comprehensively advance the construction of a Beautiful China, and open up broad prospects for achieving the sustainable development of the Chinese nation.

习近平生态文明思想深刻把握实现永续发展的历史前提，赋予生态文明前所未有的重要战略地位。中华民族自古以来就有着“天人合一”的生态智慧，然而新中国成立以来，快速工业化进程带来的资源环境压力前所未有。中国共产党清醒地认识到高消耗、高污染的粗放发展模式不可持续，将突破资源环境瓶颈约束视为实现现代化伟大征程中的艰难考验。为此，必须摒弃“吃祖宗饭、断子孙路”的老路，把生态文明建设放在突出位置，融入经济建设、政治建设、文化建设、社会建设各方面和全过程。这不仅是对传统发展模式的深刻变革，更是对子孙后代生存根基的郑重承诺，彰显了中国共产党对历史负责、对民族未来负责的强烈历史担当。面向未来，把生态文明建设放在更重要、更突出的位置，牢固树立和践行“绿水青山就是金山银山”的理念，坚定不移走生产发展、生活富裕、生态良好的文明发展道路，以高品质生态环境支撑高质量发展，加快推进人与自然和谐共生的现代化，全面推进美丽中国建设，为实现中华民族永续发展开辟广阔前景。

Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization profoundly reveals the important strategic significance of ecological civilization construction, anchoring ecological civilization as the only way for a strong country and national rejuvenation. Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization not only clarifies the fundamental position of ecological civilization but also profoundly elucidates its multiple strategic significances in supporting, leading, and shaping the process of Chinese-path modernization. First, this is a strategic choice for the steady and long-term progress of Chinese-path modernization. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “China’s socialist modernization has many important characteristics, one of which is that China’s modernization is a modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature, focusing on simultaneously advancing material civilization and ecological civilization construction.” Ecological civilization construction concerns all aspects of modernization; it is necessary to unswervingly follow the sustainable path of “protecting in development and developing in protection.” Second, this is a strategic cornerstone for consolidating the Party’s governing foundation and enhancing the well-being of the people. “A sound ecological environment is the most equitable public good and the most inclusive public welfare.” Ecological civilization construction directly responds to the people’s urgent expectations for a beautiful ecological environment, concerns the Party’s mission and purpose, and is a major political project to consolidate the Party’s governing foundation and win the hearts of the people. Third, this is a strategic guarantee for safeguarding national security and improving governance efficiency. Adhering to the principle of “protecting the ecological environment with the strictest systems and the most rigorous rule of law,” through reforming and innovating the environmental protection management system and perfecting the ecological civilization institutional system, an institutional Great Wall for safeguarding national ecological security and resource security is constructed. This is a concrete manifestation of the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity in key areas. Fourth, this is a strategic support for demonstrating the responsibility of a major country and shaping the environment for national rejuvenation. Actively leading global ecological civilization construction, firmly advancing the “dual carbon” commitments [4]4 “Dual carbon” commitments (双碳) refers to China’s pledges to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060., and promoting the building of a community of life on Earth, China contributes to global sustainable development with responsible actions, effectively enhancing its international influence and discourse power, and creating a favorable external environment for national rejuvenation.

习近平生态文明思想深刻揭示生态文明建设的重要战略意义，锚定生态文明是强国复兴必由之路。习近平生态文明思想不仅明确了生态文明的根本地位，更深刻阐明了其在支撑、引领和塑造中国式现代化进程中的多重战略意义。其一，这是中国式现代化行稳致远的战略抉择。习近平总书记指出：“我国建设社会主义现代化具有许多重要特征，其中之一就是我国现代化是人与自然和谐共生的现代化，注重同步推进物质文明建设和生态文明建设。”生态文明建设关系到现代化建设的方方面面，必须坚定不移走“在发展中保护、在保护中发展”的永续之路。其二，这是夯实党的执政基础、增进民生福祉的战略基石。“良好的生态环境是最公平的公共产品，是最普惠的民生福祉”，生态文明建设直接回应人民对优美生态环境的迫切期盼，关乎党的使命宗旨，是巩固党的执政之基、赢得民心所向的重大政治工程。其三，这是维护国家安全、提升治理效能的战略保障。践行“用最严格制度最严密法治保护生态环境”原则，通过改革创新环保管理体制、健全生态文明制度体系，构建起维护国家生态安全和资源安全的制度长城，是国家治理体系和治理能力现代化在关键领域的具体体现。其四，这是彰显大国担当、形塑民族复兴环境的战略支撑。积极引领全球生态文明建设，坚定推进“双碳”承诺，推动构建地球生命共同体，中国以负责任的行动贡献全球可持续发展，有力提升了国际影响力和话语权，为民族复兴营造了有利外部环境。

Vigorously Promote

大力推动生态文明

Theoretical, Practical, and Institutional Innovation in Ecological Civilization

理论创新、实践创新、制度创新

In terms of theoretical innovation, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, rooted in Marxist scientific theses on the dialectical unity of humanity and nature and the fundamental role of natural productive forces, has achieved a breakthrough leap. It creatively puts forward the profound proposition that humanity and nature are a community of life, profoundly grasps the integrity and inherent laws of the ecosystem, and emphasizes the systematic concept of coordinated governance of “mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts” [5]5 “Mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts” (山水林田湖草沙) is a standard Chinese formulation for the components of an integrated ecosystem, often used in policy discourse on holistic environmental governance.. The concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” essentially explains the inherent unity of ecological protection and economic development, scientifically demonstrates the attribute of the ecological environment as an important natural capital, and reveals the huge potential of productive forces contained in green development. “Protecting the ecological environment means protecting productive forces, and improving the ecological environment means developing productive forces” endows Marxist productive forces theory with a new contemporary connotation. The thesis that “a sound ecological environment is the most inclusive public welfare” firmly anchors the fundamental purpose of ecological civilization construction in the mission of creating a beautiful environment for the people and enhancing public welfare, profoundly reflecting the people’s standpoint and the essential requirements of socialism.

在理论创新上，习近平生态文明思想以马克思主义关于人与自然辩证统一、自然生产力基础性作用等科学论断为根基，实现了突破性飞跃。创造性提出人与自然是生命共同体的深邃命题，深刻把握生态系统的整体性和内在规律，强调“山水林田湖草沙”统筹治理的系统观念。“绿水青山就是金山银山”理念，从本质上阐释了生态保护与经济发展的内在统一，科学论证了生态环境作为重要自然资本的属性，揭示了绿色发展蕴含的巨大生产力潜能。“保护生态环境就是保护生产力，改善生态环境就是发展生产力”，赋予了马克思主义生产力理论以崭新的时代内涵。“良好的生态环境是最普惠的民生福祉”的论断，将生态文明建设的根本目的牢牢锚定于为人民创造优美环境、增进民生福祉的宗旨，深刻体现人民立场和社会主义本质要求。

In terms of practical innovation, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, guided by scientific theory, opens up a new development path that respects nature, conforms to nature, and protects nature. It emphasizes that “promoting the formation of green development modes and lifestyles is a profound revolution in the development outlook,” integrating the concept of green development into all aspects and fields of the development process in an all-round way. In practice, it abandons the old path of sacrificing the environment for economic growth and explores a new path of sustainable development. Based on the concept of a “community of life,” it creatively applies systems engineering methods, implements comprehensive and holistic ecological protection and restoration, coordinates the advancement of major regional ecological strategies, focuses on rectifying prominent environmental problems, and resolutely fights the battle against pollution. It incorporates the “dual carbon” goals into the overall layout of ecological civilization construction, scientifically plans the dialectical relationship between development and emission reduction, the whole and the part, and the long term and the short term, and explores practical paths for synergistically advancing ecological priority, conservation and intensive use, and green and low-carbon development, demonstrating Chinese wisdom and firm action in addressing global climate change.

在实践创新上，习近平生态文明思想以科学理论为指南，开辟出一条尊重自然、顺应自然、保护自然的发展新路径。强调“推动形成绿色发展方式和生活方式是发展观的一场深刻革命”，将绿色发展理念全方位融入发展的全过程和各领域。在实践中，摒弃牺牲环境换取经济增长的老路，探索可持续发展新路。基于“生命共同体”理念，开创性地运用系统工程方法，实施全域性、整体性的生态保护与修复，统筹推进重大区域生态战略，着力整治突出环境问题，坚决打好污染防治攻坚战；将“双碳”目标纳入生态文明建设整体布局，科学谋划发展与减排、整体与局部、长远与当前的辩证关系，探索协同推进生态优先、节约集约、绿色低碳发展的实践路径，展现出应对全球气候变暖的中国智慧与坚定行动。

In terms of institutional innovation, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization profoundly grasps the long-term and complex nature of protecting the ecological environment, is committed to building the strictest and most reliable rule-of-law and institutional safeguard network, and lays the institutional foundation for ecological civilization construction. The core of institutional innovation lies in systematically constructing the “four beams and eight pillars” [6]6 “Four beams and eight pillars” (四梁八柱) is a Chinese architectural metaphor for a comprehensive and stable institutional framework. of ecological civilization construction, establishing a responsibility chain and constraint mechanism covering the entire process of strict prevention at the source, strict management in the process, and severe punishment for consequences. This includes reforming and perfecting the ecological environment protection management system, establishing and strengthening the central ecological environmental protection inspection system with deterrent power, implementing dual control over the total amount and intensity of energy and resource consumption, perfecting market-based and diversified ecological compensation mechanisms, exploring the establishment of an audit system for outgoing leading cadres’ natural resource assets, and systematically building a modern environmental governance system. At the same time, it insists on and strengthens the Party’s overall leadership throughout the construction and implementation of the system, establishes and perfects a strict responsibility system reflecting “Party and government sharing responsibility, and ‘one post with dual responsibilities’” [7]7 “Party and government sharing responsibility, and ‘one post with dual responsibilities’” (党政同责、一岗双责) is an intra-Party principle holding both Party and government officials accountable for ecological protection, with each post bearing both functional and environmental responsibilities., ensures the political direction, systematic planning, and rigid implementation of ecological civilization construction, and continuously elevates the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity to a new height in the ecological field.

在制度创新上，习近平生态文明思想深刻把握保护生态环境的长期性与复杂性，致力于构建最严密可靠的法治与制度保障网，为生态文明建设构筑制度之基。制度创新的核心在于系统构建生态文明建设的“四梁八柱”，建立覆盖源头严防、过程严管、后果严惩全过程的责任链条与约束机制。这包括改革完善生态环境保护管理体制，建立并强化具有震慑威力的中央生态环境保护督察制度，实施能源资源消耗总量和强度双控，健全市场化多元化生态补偿机制，探索建立领导干部自然资源资产离任审计制度，系统搭建现代环境治理体系等。同时坚持和加强党的全面领导贯穿制度构建与执行始终，建立健全体现“党政同责、‘一岗双责’”的严密责任体系，确保生态文明建设的政治方向、系统谋划和刚性落实，不断提升国家治理体系和治理能力现代化在生态领域的新高度。

Major Steps Forward in the Construction of a Beautiful China

美丽中国建设迈出重大步伐

The historic changes in ecological civilization construction are reflected in the magnificent picture of deepening concepts and accumulating achievements. Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, with its distinct epochal character, profound theoretical nature, and strong practicality, has completely reversed the traditional path dependence of “valuing the economy over ecology” and achieved an epochal elevation in the ideological realm of the Chinese nation’s sustainable development. The power of thought has given rise to historic practical achievements: national air quality has significantly improved; in 2024, the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in cities at the prefectural level and above was 29.3 micrograms per cubic meter, a reduction of over 30% compared to 2015, with good air quality days becoming the norm; water environment quality has continued to improve, with the proportion of national surface water sections with excellent water quality rising sharply from 67.8% in 2016 to 90.4% in 2024; ecosystem stability has been significantly enhanced, with the national forest coverage rate increasing from 16.55% in the early 21st century to over 25%, and forest area and stock volume maintaining “double growth” for many consecutive years, making China the country with the largest increase in forest resources globally; biodiversity protection has taken solid steps, with the populations of rare and endangered species such as giant pandas, crested ibises, and Amur tigers and leopards steadily increasing. This series of historic achievements has profoundly changed the ecological landscape of China, greatly enhanced the people’s sense of ecological environment gain, happiness, and security, and laid a solid foundation for the construction of a Beautiful China.

生态文明建设的历史性变化体现在理念深化与成果累积的恢宏画卷上。习近平生态文明思想以鲜明的时代性、深刻的理论性和强大的实践性，彻底扭转了“重经济轻生态”的传统路径依赖，实现了中华民族永续发展思想境界的时代跃升。思想的力量催生了历史性的实践成就，全国空气质量明显改善，2024年全国地级及以上城市细颗粒物（PM2.5）平均浓度为29.3微克/立方米，较2015年下降30%以上，优良天数成为常态；水环境质量持续向好，全国地表水优良水质断面比例大幅提升，由2016年的67.8%上升至2024年的90.4%；生态系统稳定性显著增强，全国森林覆盖率由21世纪初的16.55%提升至超过25％，森林面积和蓄积量连续多年保持“双增长”，成为全球森林资源增长最多的国家；生物多样性保护迈出坚实步伐，大熊猫、朱鹮、东北虎豹等珍稀濒危物种种群数量稳中有升。这一系列历史性成就，深刻改变了中华大地的生态面貌，极大提升了人民群众的生态环境获得感、幸福感、安全感，奠定了美丽中国建设的坚实根基。

The transformative changes in ecological civilization construction are embedded in the profound revolution of development paradigms and governance systems. Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization has led us to cross the “historical divide” where development and protection were opposed to each other, achieving a fundamental and overall transformation in development concepts, development methods, and governance approaches. In terms of development pathways, we unswervingly follow the path of prioritizing ecology and pursuing green development, promoting the optimization and transformation of the energy structure, with the installed capacity of hydropower, wind power, and photovoltaic power ranking first in the world; the industrial structure continues to be optimized and upgraded, and green and low-carbon industries are flourishing. In terms of governance methods, we have established and improved the strictest system for ecological environmental protection; the Central Ecological Environmental Protection Inspection [8]8 The Central Ecological Environmental Protection Inspection is a high-level supervision mechanism established by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council to oversee the implementation of ecological and environmental protection responsibilities by local Party committees, governments, and relevant departments. acts as a sharp sword, covering all 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps; the strictest environmental protection law in history and its supporting regulatory system exert a deterrent effect with “teeth”; innovative systems such as the river chief system, lake chief system, and forest chief system have been fully implemented; the Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) accounting system has been practiced in many places; and the ecological protection compensation mechanism has been continuously improved. This series of transformative changes marks that China has fully shifted to a stage of high-quality development that respects, conforms to, and protects nature, fundamentally resolving the deep-seated contradiction between development and protection, and opening up the correct path for realizing modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature.

生态文明建设的转折性变化蕴含在发展范式与治理体系的深刻革命中。习近平生态文明思想引领我们跨越了发展与保护相互对立的“历史鸿沟”，实现了发展理念、发展方式和治理方式的根本性、全局性转折。在发展路径上，坚定不移走生态优先、绿色发展之路，推动能源结构优化转型，水电、风电、光伏发电装机规模稳居世界首位，产业结构持续优化升级，绿色低碳产业蓬勃发展；在治理方式上，建立健全最严格的生态环境保护制度，中央生态环境保护督察利剑高悬，覆盖全国31个省（区、市）和新疆生产建设兵团，史上最严环保法及其配套法规体系发挥“长牙齿”的震慑作用，河湖长制、林长制等创新制度全面推行，生态系统生产总值（GEP）核算体系在多地实践，生态保护补偿机制不断完善。这一系列转折性变革，标志着我国已全面转向尊重自然、顺应自然、保护自然的高质量发展阶段，从根源上破解了发展与保护的深层矛盾，为实现人与自然和谐共生的现代化开辟了正确道路。

The overall changes in ecological civilization construction are manifested in the far-reaching impact of strategic elevation and value reconstruction. First, this is reflected in the full coverage of spatial dimensions: from cities to villages, from plains to mountains, from land to oceans, a pattern of unified planning, integrated governance, and systematic protection has taken shape, and the concept of a “community of life for mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts” is deeply rooted in people’s hearts. Second, this is reflected in the full integration of sectoral dimensions: green lifestyles have become a new trend, with simplicity, moderation, greenness, and low carbon deeply rooted in people’s hearts; green values are widely disseminated, and ecological civilization education has been incorporated into the national education system. Third, this is reflected in the transformation of China’s role in international governance: China deeply participates in global environmental governance, actively fulfills its solemn commitments to peak carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, promotes the construction of a fair, reasonable, and win-win global climate governance system, and contributes Chinese solutions, Chinese wisdom, and Chinese strength to building a clean and beautiful world. In summary, ecological civilization construction is no longer a marginalized supporting role but is a core link embedded in the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan [9]9 The Five-Sphere Integrated Plan refers to China’s overall plan for building socialism with Chinese characteristics, encompassing economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological civilization construction. for socialism with Chinese characteristics. It has fundamentally reshaped the goals and value priorities of national development, become a distinct value orientation that unites social consensus and inspires the driving force for struggle, and leads the great cause of building a Beautiful China to stride forward.

生态文明建设的全局性变化彰显于战略提升与价值重构的深远影响中。一是体现为空间维度的全覆盖，从城市到乡村、从平原到山区、从陆地到海洋，统筹规划、一体治理、系统保护的格局业已形成，“山水林田湖草沙”生命共同体理念深入人心。二是体现为领域维度的全融入，绿色生活方式成为新风尚，简约适度、绿色低碳深入人心；绿色价值观广泛传播，生态文明教育纳入国民教育体系。三是体现为国际治理角色的转变，中国深度参与全球环境治理，积极践行碳达峰碳中和庄严承诺，推动构建公平合理、合作共赢的全球气候治理体系，为共建清洁美丽的世界贡献中国方案、中国智慧和中国力量。总之，生态文明建设已不再是边缘化的配角，而是内嵌于中国特色社会主义“五位一体”总体布局的核心环节，从根本上重塑了国家发展的目标和价值排序，成为凝聚社会共识、激发奋斗动力的鲜明价值导向，引领建设美丽中国的伟大事业阔步向前。

(This article is a phased result of the National Social Science Fund Major Project “Research on the Theory and Practice of Scientific Socialism in China since the Founding of the Communist Party of China” (20&ZD008))

（本文系国家社科基金重大项目“建党百年科学社会主义在中国的理论与实践研究”（20&ZD008）阶段性成果）

(The author is a professor at the School of Marxism, Fudan University, and a Distinguished Researcher at the Shanghai Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era)

（作者系复旦大学马克思主义学院教授、上海市习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心特聘研究员）

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