80
Y. Zhang
improved our understanding of the role of mass movements and NGOs in the public
domain, and regarded them as an important means for individuals to play a role
in a market economy. For example, in 2005, the relevant authorities decided to lay
waterproof and leak-proof membranes at the bottom of the Yuanmingyuan Lake.
Considering that this practice may have a negative impact on the environment of the
site, some NGOs raised objections. The national environmental authority thus held
public hearings to gather opinions from the general public and in the end, the project
was terminated. This is how the government has been raising public environmental
awareness and promoting public participation in environmental protection. We also
request companies to strengthen environmental management, promote dedication
to environmental conservation and adopt workplace practices for higher sustainability. Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group, which successfully solved the problem of its
slag yard, and the Saihanba Forest Farm, which showcased strong determination to
control desertification, are great examples in this regard. We have also been actively
encouraging people to adopt green lifestyles as a way to support the country’s pursuit
of higher sustainability. For example, we have selected environmental ambassadors,
called upon people to go car-free for one day, set air conditioners at 26 °C, eat up
what’s on their plates, and launched “earth station” and other mass environmental
campaigns. These have not only effectively raised people’s environmental awareness,
but also promoted the development of an ecological civilization.
The achievements of ecological civilization development are to be shared by the
people. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, we have creatively
employed approaches such as people-centered development, inclusive development,
and common prosperity to promote ecological civilization development, and build
an environmental benefit sharing system. “Inclusive development means the benefits
of development on economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological fronts reach
all and people’s legitimate rights and interests in all aspects are fully protected.”
First of all, the prerequisite for sharing environmental benefits is shared ownership
of environmental resources. China’s Constitution stipulates that all natural resources
and urban land are owned by the state, that is, by the people; natural resources, land in
rural areas and city suburbs, homesteads, and mountains that are collectively owned
according to the law are collectively owned. In this way, an economic system is
established to ensure the sharing of environmental benefits. Second, we use the mass
line to ensure the sharing of environmental benefits. The masses are not only the main
players in the development of an ecological civilization, but also the main actors in
environmental management. We guide people to effectively protect the environment
and enjoy environmental benefits. The state not only supervises people’s fulfillment
of their obligation to protect the environment, but also effectively protects people’s
right to enjoy environmental benefits. Last but not least, our goal is to ensure the
sharing of environmental benefits among the people. For example, it was proposed
in the 13th Five-Year Plan that residents in impoverished areas where hydropower and
mineral resources development projects are launched should be compensated with
ownership of equity in the projects. The state should improve the mechanism for the
sharing of the benefits from resource development, especially in impoverished areas.
In terms of environment management, we have introduced a horizontal environmental
Y. Zhang
improved our understanding of the role of mass movements and NGOs in the public
domain, and regarded them as an important means for individuals to play a role
in a market economy. For example, in 2005, the relevant authorities decided to lay
waterproof and leak-proof membranes at the bottom of the Yuanmingyuan Lake.
Considering that this practice may have a negative impact on the environment of the
site, some NGOs raised objections. The national environmental authority thus held
public hearings to gather opinions from the general public and in the end, the project
was terminated. This is how the government has been raising public environmental
awareness and promoting public participation in environmental protection. We also
request companies to strengthen environmental management, promote dedication
to environmental conservation and adopt workplace practices for higher sustainability. Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group, which successfully solved the problem of its
slag yard, and the Saihanba Forest Farm, which showcased strong determination to
control desertification, are great examples in this regard. We have also been actively
encouraging people to adopt green lifestyles as a way to support the country’s pursuit
of higher sustainability. For example, we have selected environmental ambassadors,
called upon people to go car-free for one day, set air conditioners at 26 °C, eat up
what’s on their plates, and launched “earth station” and other mass environmental
campaigns. These have not only effectively raised people’s environmental awareness,
but also promoted the development of an ecological civilization.
The achievements of ecological civilization development are to be shared by the
people. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, we have creatively
employed approaches such as people-centered development, inclusive development,
and common prosperity to promote ecological civilization development, and build
an environmental benefit sharing system. “Inclusive development means the benefits
of development on economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological fronts reach
all and people’s legitimate rights and interests in all aspects are fully protected.”
First of all, the prerequisite for sharing environmental benefits is shared ownership
of environmental resources. China’s Constitution stipulates that all natural resources
and urban land are owned by the state, that is, by the people; natural resources, land in
rural areas and city suburbs, homesteads, and mountains that are collectively owned
according to the law are collectively owned. In this way, an economic system is
established to ensure the sharing of environmental benefits. Second, we use the mass
line to ensure the sharing of environmental benefits. The masses are not only the main
players in the development of an ecological civilization, but also the main actors in
environmental management. We guide people to effectively protect the environment
and enjoy environmental benefits. The state not only supervises people’s fulfillment
of their obligation to protect the environment, but also effectively protects people’s
right to enjoy environmental benefits. Last but not least, our goal is to ensure the
sharing of environmental benefits among the people. For example, it was proposed
in the 13th Five-Year Plan that residents in impoverished areas where hydropower and
mineral resources development projects are launched should be compensated with
ownership of equity in the projects. The state should improve the mechanism for the
sharing of the benefits from resource development, especially in impoverished areas.
In terms of environment management, we have introduced a horizontal environmental