138
C. Chen
human society. Marx believed that humans cannot survive without nature, the means
of life and production come from nature, nature provides the objective conditions
for human existence, humans produce, live and reproduce in their interaction with
nature, and nature would be a gift for human beings if they treat nature well. “If
man has conquered the forces of nature by science and creative genius, then the
forces have taken their revenge on man,” said Engels, “Do not revel too much in
our victories over nature. For every such victory, nature has taken revenge on us.”
The dialectical relationship between man and nature is the eternal theme of human
development. In the recorded history of human civilization, the decline of ancient
Egyptian and Babylonian civilizations, the disappearance of the Loulan civilization,
the evolution of China’s Loess Plateau and Hexi Corridor from the ancient lush forests
and abundant waters and grasslands to the current ravines and gobi deserts are all
lessons learned from the degradation of the environment caused by man’s excessive
exploitation of nature and the resulting civilizational crisis. General Secretary Xi
Jinping’s assertion that man and nature form a biotic community with a shared future
reveals in a nutshell the true meaning of the relationship between man and nature. He
pointed out that, in order to achieve sustainable development, we must respect, adapt
to and protect nature, and “protect the ecological environment like we protect our
own eyes and treat it like we treat our own life.” From the perspective of historical
development, he focuses on prosperity of our country, rejuvenation of our nation and
the well-being of our people, making his assertion that “a civilization may thrive if
its natural surroundings thrive, and will suffer if its natural surroundings suffer” and
that “building an ecological civilization is vital for sustaining the development of the
Chinese nation.”
2. Maintaining a good ecological environment is a basic condition for
achieving well-being for all
Since the reform and opening up, China has seen rapid economic and social development, which has greatly raised the people’s standard of living and enriched their
intellectual life and will soon successfully accomplish the building of a moderately
prosperous society in all respects. However, environmental problems have become
an obstacle to the building of a well-off society in all respects, as evidenced by heavy
pollution, growing heaps of urban waste, drinking water pollution, and excessive
heavy metal content in soil. They have led to strong public response and great social
concern. The people’s expectations for clean water, fresh air, safe food and a beautiful environment are growing stronger. The quality of the environment has a direct
impact on the people’s well-being and is becoming increasingly prominent. General
Secretary Xi Jinping has proactively responded to the concerns and aspirations of
the people, clearly stating that “the environment is people’s livelihood, green hills
are beautiful, and blue skies are happiness,” that a good environment is the most
benefit to people’s livelihood, and that it is the Party’s ruling mission and goal to
promote the development of an ecological civilization and provide the people with
more high-quality products and a beautiful environment. He has also demanded that
building an ecological civilization be vigorously promoted, more quality products
C. Chen
human society. Marx believed that humans cannot survive without nature, the means
of life and production come from nature, nature provides the objective conditions
for human existence, humans produce, live and reproduce in their interaction with
nature, and nature would be a gift for human beings if they treat nature well. “If
man has conquered the forces of nature by science and creative genius, then the
forces have taken their revenge on man,” said Engels, “Do not revel too much in
our victories over nature. For every such victory, nature has taken revenge on us.”
The dialectical relationship between man and nature is the eternal theme of human
development. In the recorded history of human civilization, the decline of ancient
Egyptian and Babylonian civilizations, the disappearance of the Loulan civilization,
the evolution of China’s Loess Plateau and Hexi Corridor from the ancient lush forests
and abundant waters and grasslands to the current ravines and gobi deserts are all
lessons learned from the degradation of the environment caused by man’s excessive
exploitation of nature and the resulting civilizational crisis. General Secretary Xi
Jinping’s assertion that man and nature form a biotic community with a shared future
reveals in a nutshell the true meaning of the relationship between man and nature. He
pointed out that, in order to achieve sustainable development, we must respect, adapt
to and protect nature, and “protect the ecological environment like we protect our
own eyes and treat it like we treat our own life.” From the perspective of historical
development, he focuses on prosperity of our country, rejuvenation of our nation and
the well-being of our people, making his assertion that “a civilization may thrive if
its natural surroundings thrive, and will suffer if its natural surroundings suffer” and
that “building an ecological civilization is vital for sustaining the development of the
Chinese nation.”
2. Maintaining a good ecological environment is a basic condition for
achieving well-being for all
Since the reform and opening up, China has seen rapid economic and social development, which has greatly raised the people’s standard of living and enriched their
intellectual life and will soon successfully accomplish the building of a moderately
prosperous society in all respects. However, environmental problems have become
an obstacle to the building of a well-off society in all respects, as evidenced by heavy
pollution, growing heaps of urban waste, drinking water pollution, and excessive
heavy metal content in soil. They have led to strong public response and great social
concern. The people’s expectations for clean water, fresh air, safe food and a beautiful environment are growing stronger. The quality of the environment has a direct
impact on the people’s well-being and is becoming increasingly prominent. General
Secretary Xi Jinping has proactively responded to the concerns and aspirations of
the people, clearly stating that “the environment is people’s livelihood, green hills
are beautiful, and blue skies are happiness,” that a good environment is the most
benefit to people’s livelihood, and that it is the Party’s ruling mission and goal to
promote the development of an ecological civilization and provide the people with
more high-quality products and a beautiful environment. He has also demanded that
building an ecological civilization be vigorously promoted, more quality products