Consolidating the Ecological Cornerstone for the Sustainable Development of the Chinese Nation

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to ecological progress. General Secretary Xi Jinping has stressed that ecological progress is closely related to the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, the mission and purpose of the Party, and the well-being of the people. He has called on the whole society to take action, actively disseminating and exemplarily practicing the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," and to make greater contributions to building a clean and beautiful world. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly made comprehensive arrangements for ecological progress, emphasizing the need to establish an ecological civilization concept of respecting, conforming to, and protecting nature, to place ecological progress in a prominent and important position, to integrate it into the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan, and to strive to take a civilized path of harmonious development between humanity and nature.

党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央高度重视生态文明建设。习近平总书记强调生态文明建设与中华民族永续发展、党的使命宗旨和民生福祉密切相关。他号召全社会行动起来，做“绿水青山就是金山银山”理念的积极传播者和模范践行者，为共建清洁美丽世界作出更大贡献。习近平总书记多次对生态文明建设进行全面部署，强调要树立尊重自然、顺应自然、保护自然的生态文明理念，把生态文明建设放在突出重要地位，融入“五位一体”总体布局，努力走出一条人与自然和谐发展的文明之路。

Ecological progress is a millennium-long plan concerning the sustainable development of the Chinese nation and has significant and far-reaching implications for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Facing the severe challenges posed by resources and the environment, it is necessary to coordinate the systematic governance of mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts, adhere to the basic state policy of conserving resources and protecting the environment, uphold the unity of economic construction and ecological protection, adhere to the principles of conservation first and protection first, coordinate development and protection, promote the fundamental transformation of the economic development model, achieve a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, and provide ecological and environmental support for building a Beautiful China. Ecological progress is a major political issue concerning the mission and purpose of the Party. The Communist Party of China always places the interests of the people first and regards the people's aspiration for a better life as its goal of struggle. Realizing the people's aspiration for a better life is inseparable from a good ecological environment as a foundation. Only by making lucid waters and lush mountains become the people's invaluable assets can the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation be truly realized. Ecological progress is a major social issue concerning people's well-being. Environmental issues are closely related to everyone's daily life and work. Deteriorating air quality threatens people's health, water pollution affects people's lives, and the reduction of biodiversity threatens people's food security and ecological balance. Therefore, while pursuing economic growth, it is necessary to focus on protecting the environment to ensure the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security.

生态文明建设是关系中华民族永续发展的千年大计，对实现中华民族伟大复兴具有重大而深远的意义。面对资源环境带来的严峻挑战，必须统筹山水林田湖草沙系统治理，坚持节约资源和保护环境的基本国策，坚持经济建设和生态保护的统一，坚持节约优先和保护优先，统筹发展和保护，推动经济发展方式的根本转变，实现经济社会发展全面绿色转型，为建设美丽中国提供生态环境支撑。生态文明建设是关系党的使命宗旨的重大政治问题。中国共产党始终把人民的利益置于首位，将人民群众对美好生活的向往作为党的奋斗目标。而实现人民对美好生活的向往，离不开良好的生态环境作为基础。只有让绿水青山成为人民的金山银山，才能真正实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦。生态文明建设是关系民生福祉的重大社会问题。环境问题与每个人的日常生活工作息息相关。恶化的空气质量会威胁人们的健康，水源污染会影响人们的生活，生物多样性的减少会威胁到人们的食物安全和生态平衡。因此，在追求经济增长的同时，必须注重保护环境，以确保人民群众的获得感、幸福感和安全感。

Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets

绿水青山就是金山银山

General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." This concept is not only profoundly philosophical and forward-looking but also provides directional guidance for the construction of ecological civilization in China and even globally. First, this concept correctly handles the relationship between humanity and nature from the source, clarifying that protecting the ecological environment is for the well-being and long-term development of people, emphasizing the importance of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, and is a modern interpretation of the traditional Chinese cultural idea of "unity of heaven and humanity." [1]1 "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" (绿水青山就是金山银山) is a well-known slogan of Xi Jinping, emphasizing that ecological protection is a form of economic value and that environmental quality is a foundation for sustainable development. Second, it clarifies the relationship between the environment and the economy. Ecological environmental protection and economic development are equally important, and the latter must be built on the foundation of the former. A good ecological environment can not only directly create economic value but also provide support for the sustained and healthy development of the economy and society. Finally, it presents a positive and progressive concept of ecological civilization. "Lucid waters and lush mountains" include not only static ecological resources but also contain an inherent vitality of endless growth and hope, providing a continuous source of green energy for sustainable economic development. As long as the environment is rationally utilized and cherished, the ecosystem can generate enormous positive value. This value is reflected not only in material wealth but also in a better life and the progress of civilization.

习近平总书记强调“绿水青山就是金山银山”，这一理念不仅哲理深远、富有前瞻性，更是对我国乃至全球的生态文明建设的方向性指引。这一理念首先从源头上正确处理了人与自然的关系，阐明了保护生态环境是为了人的福祉和长远发展，强调了人与自然和谐共生的重要性，是对中国传统文化中“天人合一”思想的现代解读。其次，厘清了环境与经济之间的关系。生态环境保护与经济发展同样重要，并且后者必须建立在前者的基础上。一个良好的生态环境，既能直接创造经济价值，又能为经济社会的持续健康发展提供支撑。最后，呈现出积极向上的生态文明理念。“绿水青山”不仅包括静态的生态资源，更包含着生生不息、充满希望的内在活力，为经济可持续发展提供源源不断的绿色能量。只要合理利用、珍惜环境，就能使生态系统产生巨大的正向价值。这种价值不仅体现在物质财富上，也体现在美好生活和文明进步上。

"Lucid waters and lush mountains" represent the beautiful scenery and precious resources of nature; they are the source of life and the cornerstone of ecological balance. "Invaluable assets" represent economic prosperity and material abundance. For a long time, people pursued the latter, even at the expense of the former. The concept proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping indicates that economic development and ecological protection are

“绿水青山”代表了大自然的美景和宝贵资源，它是生命之源，是生态平衡的基石；“金山银山”代表的是经济的繁荣和物质的丰富。在很长的一段时间里，人们追求的是后者，以至于牺牲了前者。习近平总书记提出的这一理念表明，经济发展与生态保护并非对立的两个概念，真正的繁荣和发展应该是二者相辅相成，而不是相互牺牲。实际上，这种相互促进已经在我国许多地方实践中得到了验证。

"Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" is also a cultural and philosophical reflection. After decades of rapid economic development, China, along with many other countries, faces a tension between development and environmental protection. Traditional development models have brought unprecedented material prosperity to many countries and regions, but they have also been accompanied by severe ecological damage, prompting people to begin reflecting on whether sustained economic growth means a better life. With the transformation of the principal contradiction in our society, the people's pursuit of a higher quality of life has gradually surpassed their desire for material wealth. Parks, green spaces, and clean air have become basic needs for modern urban residents. Therefore, it is necessary to seek harmony with nature in development, cherishing and protecting "lucid waters and lush mountains" as true "invaluable assets."

“绿水青山就是金山银山”更是一种文化和哲学的反思。在历经数十年经济快速发展后，中国以及许多国家都面临着发展与环境保护之间的张力。传统的发展模式为许多国家和地区带来了前所未有的物质繁荣，但也伴随着严重的生态破坏，从而引发人们开始反思，持续的经济增长是否意味着更好的生活？随着我国社会主要矛盾的转变，人民群众对更高生活品质的追求已经逐渐超越了对物质财富的渴望。公园、绿地、纯净的空气等，已经成为现代城市居民的基本需求。因此，必须在发展中寻求与自然的和谐，把“绿水青山”当作真正的“金山银山”来珍视和保护。

Chinese-path modernization is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature

中国式现代化是人与自然和谐共生的现代化

Chinese-path modernization emphasizes the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. It "unswervingly follows a civilized development path of production development, affluent living, and sound ecology" to achieve the comprehensive development of humanity and the sustainable use of nature. Over more than 40 years of reform and opening up, China has achieved remarkable economic development, with its GDP ranking second in the world. But at the same time, it faces problems such as tightening resource and environmental constraints and the degradation of the ecological environment system. Therefore, China is in a critical period of transforming its development model and building a new development paradigm. It must properly handle the relationship between development and ecological environmental protection and blaze a path of sustainable development. Today, our country has embarked on a new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country. At this important historical juncture, how to correctly handle the relationship between development and the environment and achieve harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature is of great significance to China and all of humanity. General Secretary Xi Jinping's concept of "simultaneously advancing high-quality development and high-level protection" indicates that Chinese-path modernization is not simply about pursuing the quantitative accumulation of economic growth, but rather places greater emphasis on the quality and efficiency of development, pursuing a dual improvement in the people's quality of life and the ecological environment.

中国式现代化强调人与自然的和谐共生。它“坚定不移走生产发展、生活富裕、生态良好的文明发展道路”，以实现人的全面发展和自然的可持续利用。改革开放40多年来，中国取得了举世瞩目的经济发展成就，国内生产总值跃居世界第二。但同时也面临资源环境约束趋紧、生态环境系统退化等问题。因此，中国正处在转变发展方式、构建新发展格局的攻关期，必须解决好发展与生态环境保护的关系，走出一条可持续发展之路。如今，我国已经迈上全面建设社会主义现代化国家的新征程。在这一重要历史节点上，如何正确处理发展与环境的关系，实现人与自然和谐共生，对中国乃至全人类都具有十分重要的意义。习近平总书记提出的“同步推进高质量发展和高水平保护”的理念，表明中国式现代化不是简单地追求经济增长量的积累，而要更注重发展的质量和效益，追求人民生活质量和生态环境的双重提高。

This profound reflection on and practice of the relationship between humanity and nature has formed the development model of socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics. In the process of Western modernization, technological progress and material abundance have been accompanied by environmental pollution, resource depletion, and ecological crises. In contrast, Chinese-path modernization attempts to find a new balance between material abundance and ecological equilibrium. True modernization is not only about material wealth and technological progress; more importantly, it is about the harmonious development between humanity and nature, between humanity and society, and among people themselves. Historical and cultural accumulation has made the Chinese people cherish harmonious coexistence with nature even more, enabling China to find a more distinctive path on the road to modernization. Chinese-path modernization is not a simple imitation of the Western model, but rather, by integrating its own realities, it has created a path of modernization that has both Chinese characteristics and global significance. Chinese-path modernization is a modernization of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. It not only provides impetus and direction for China's development but also offers new models and new experiences for global sustainable development. This is not only a transcendence and breakthrough of the Western path of modernization but also a major contribution to the development of human civilization.

这种对人与自然关系的深刻反思和实践，形成了中国特色社会主义现代化的发展模式。在西方的现代化进程中，与技术的进步和物质的丰富相伴的是环境污染、资源枯竭、生态危机。相比之下，中国式现代化试图在物质富足与生态平衡之间寻找一个新的平衡点。真正的现代化不仅是物质的富裕和技术的进步，更重要的是人与自然、人与社会、人与人之间的和谐发展。历史与文化的积淀让中国人更加珍视与大自然的和谐相处，这使得中国在现代化道路上寻找到一种更为独特的方式。中国式现代化不是对西方模式的简单模仿，而是结合自身实际，创造出的一条既有中国特色又具有世界意义的现代化道路。中国式现代化是一种人与自然和谐共生的现代化。它不仅为中国提供了发展的动力和方向，也为全球提供了可持续发展的新模式和新经验。这不仅是对西方现代化路径的超越和突破，更是对人类文明发展的重大贡献。

Actively disseminate and model the practice of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets"

做“绿水青山就是金山银山”的积极传播者和模范践行者

When we talk about lucid waters and lush mountains, we are not merely describing a beautiful landscape, but rather deeply recognizing the true value behind them. "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" expresses the inherent unity between natural ecology and economic development, and also represents China's firm determination to build an ecological civilization. To achieve this lofty goal, everyone must become its guardian and practitioner. All sectors of society should recognize their own role and responsibility in this regard.

当我们谈论绿水青山时，并非仅仅在描述一片美丽的风景，而是要深刻认识到它们背后的真实价值。“绿水青山就是金山银山”表达了自然生态与经济发展之间的内在统一，也代表着中国对生态文明建设的坚定决心。为实现这一崇高的目标，每个人都要成为它的守护者和践行者。社会各界都应该认识到自己在其中的角色和责任。

Party committees and governments at all levels must fully recognize the extreme importance and urgency of ecological progress, take ecological progress as a primary task to be grasped, place the ecological red line in a prominent position in the overall economic and social development, and resolutely prevent short-sighted behaviors that damage the ecological environment. Development strategies that conform to national conditions and are conducive to ecological progress should be formulated, closely integrating ecological progress with economic construction to form a policy system. The green development concept must be thoroughly implemented, support for green industries and the circular economy should be increased, and the economic structure should be promoted to optimize and upgrade in a green and low-carbon direction. At the same time, the rule of law must be strengthened, the laws, regulations, and standards system for ecological progress should be improved, a strict environmental monitoring and law enforcement mechanism should be constructed, and institutional supply and legal guarantees for ecological progress should be formed. In addition, governments at all levels should take the lead in advocating a simple and moderate lifestyle, play an exemplary role, and promote the formation of a cultural atmosphere of respect for nature and resource conservation throughout society.

各级党委和政府要充分认识生态文明建设的极端重要性和紧迫性，把生态文明建设作为首要任务来抓，把生态红线摆在经济社会发展全局的突出位置，坚决防止破坏生态环境的短视行为。应制定符合国情、有利于生态文明建设的发展战略，将生态文明建设与经济建设紧密结合，形成政策体系。要深入贯彻落实绿色发展理念，加大对绿色产业、循环经济的扶持力度，推动经济结构向绿色低碳方向优化升级。同时，要加强法治建设，健全生态文明建设的法律法规和标准体系，构建严格的环境监测和执法机制，形成保障生态文明建设的制度供给和法治保障。此外，各级政府还应带头倡导简约适度的生活方式，发挥表率作用，推动全社会形成尊重自然、节约资源的文化氛围。

Enterprises must adhere to green development and practice the development policy of being environment-friendly and resource-conserving. Enterprises should become model practitioners of ecological progress. Modern enterprises must not only pursue economic benefits but also assume social responsibilities and protect the ecological environment. They should actively adopt green technologies and processes, develop green products; vigorously promote cleaner production, conserve resource consumption, reduce pollution emissions, and assume the environmental responsibilities of enterprises; establish a green development concept, and implement ecological progress in every link of enterprise development. Through green production, low-carbon technology, circular economy, and other means, enterprises can reduce damage to the environment in the course of development and truly achieve green development.

企业要坚持绿色发展，践行环境友好型、资源节约型的发展方针。企业应该成为生态文明建设的模范践行者。现代企业不仅要追求经济利益，还要承担起社会责任，保护生态环境。要主动采用绿色技术和工艺，开发绿色产品；积极推行清洁生产，节约资源消耗，降低污染排放，承担起企业的环境责任；树立绿色发展理念，将生态文明落实到企业发展的各个环节。通过绿色生产、低碳技术、循环经济等方式，企业可以在发展中减少对环境的损害，真正做到绿色发展。

The broad masses of the people must start from themselves, becoming firm practitioners and disseminators of the concept of ecological progress. Individuals should actively practice the concept of green consumption, choose to use green and environmentally friendly products, and adopt a green and low-carbon lifestyle; they should consciously carry out waste sorting, take care of public environmental hygiene; they should conserve resources, and put an end to the phenomenon of luxury and waste. The active participation of the broad masses of the people will provide a solid foundation for ecological progress. When everyone realizes the importance of the ecological environment and practices the concept of environmental protection in daily life, this great goal can be achieved.

广大人民群众要从自身做起，做生态文明建设的坚定践行者和理念的传播者。个人要积极践行绿色消费理念，选择使用绿色环保产品，采用绿色低碳的生活方式；要自觉进行垃圾分类，爱护公共环境卫生；要节约资源，杜绝奢华浪费现象的发生。广大人民群众的积极参与，将给生态文明建设提供坚实基础。当每个人都意识到生态环境的重要性，并在日常生活中践行环保理念时，这一伟大目标才有可能实现。

Building an ecological civilization and consolidating the ecological cornerstone for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation is a systematic project that requires the joint participation of the whole society, and it requires the joint participation of the entire Party, the entire nation, and all ethnic groups. On the future path of development, we must adhere to the leadership of the Party, give play to the leading role of the government, mobilize the initiative, creativity, and activity of the whole society, and form a powerful joint force to promote ecological progress. Let the whole society act together, spread and practice the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," consolidate the ecological cornerstone for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, and strive unitedly to realize the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

建设生态文明，夯实中华民族永续发展的生态基石，是一项需要全社会共同参与的系统工程，需要全党全国各族人民共同参与。在未来的发展道路上，要坚持党的领导，发挥政府的主导作用，发动全社会的积极性、主动性和创造性，形成推进生态文明建设的强大合力。让我们全社会上下行动起来，传播并践行“绿水青山就是金山银山”，夯实中华民族永续发展的生态基石，为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦而团结奋斗。

Source: *Chinese Social Sciences Today*, September 18, 2023

文章来源：《中国社会科学报》2023年9月18日

Online Editor: Jing Mu

网络编辑：静穆