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J. Li
A sound system of ecological and environmental inspections was also established at
both central and provincial levels with good results achieved through continuously
reinforcing the responsibility for ecological and environmental protection for Party
committees and governments at all levels.
4. Unprecedented efforts to transform the development model: achievements
in pursuing green development
China has adopted in all aspects a new development philosophy emphasizing longterm gains. Under the theme of building a green, low-carbon, and sustainable
economy, China has been improving its industrial structure constantly by cultivating new industries, transforming and upgrading traditional industries, phasing
out backward capacity and promoting energy conservation and emissions reduction.
In this way, we have achieved economic growth, and reduced energy and resource
consumption and environmental pollution. Currently, the proportion of heavy and
chemical industries in the country is decreasing, while that of high-tech industries
and equipment manufacturing continues to rise. Eco-agriculture and new industries
are flourishing, and the value added of the services sector has contributed about 60%
of the economic growth. The environmental protection industry has been rapidly
developing and expanding. In 2018, China witnessed an increase of 43% year-onyear in its ecological and environmental protection and environmental governance
industry, and it is expected that the annual operating revenues of the industries will
exceed RMB 1.5 trillion and reach RMB 2 trillion by 2020. The formation of a
modern industrial system of environmental services has been accelerated with thirdparty governance and environmental stewardship services as its core. As its energy
consumption structure underwent positive changes, China has become the world’s
largest country in the use of new and renewable energy, with the total emissions
of major pollutants, energy consumption and water consumption per unit of GDP
continuing to decline. Green development has become an essential force driving
China’s quality development.
5. Unprecedented international cooperation for an ecological civilization:
build a community with a shared green future
China has actively undertaken its obligations as a major country and become
an important participant, contributor and leader in the construction of a global
ecological civilization through in-depth participation in global environmental governance, carrying out international exchanges and cooperation, and advocating the
building a beautiful Earth. First, China’s green development strategy has been
widely recognized. In 2013, the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) decided to promote the concept of ecological civilization
proposed by China; and in 2016, the United Nations released Green Is Gold: The
Strategy and Actions of China’s Ecological Civilization to introduce China’s experience. Second, China has redoubled its efforts to advance the green development
strategy. It has set a great example by releasing China’s National Plan on Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, implementing China’s
J. Li
A sound system of ecological and environmental inspections was also established at
both central and provincial levels with good results achieved through continuously
reinforcing the responsibility for ecological and environmental protection for Party
committees and governments at all levels.
4. Unprecedented efforts to transform the development model: achievements
in pursuing green development
China has adopted in all aspects a new development philosophy emphasizing longterm gains. Under the theme of building a green, low-carbon, and sustainable
economy, China has been improving its industrial structure constantly by cultivating new industries, transforming and upgrading traditional industries, phasing
out backward capacity and promoting energy conservation and emissions reduction.
In this way, we have achieved economic growth, and reduced energy and resource
consumption and environmental pollution. Currently, the proportion of heavy and
chemical industries in the country is decreasing, while that of high-tech industries
and equipment manufacturing continues to rise. Eco-agriculture and new industries
are flourishing, and the value added of the services sector has contributed about 60%
of the economic growth. The environmental protection industry has been rapidly
developing and expanding. In 2018, China witnessed an increase of 43% year-onyear in its ecological and environmental protection and environmental governance
industry, and it is expected that the annual operating revenues of the industries will
exceed RMB 1.5 trillion and reach RMB 2 trillion by 2020. The formation of a
modern industrial system of environmental services has been accelerated with thirdparty governance and environmental stewardship services as its core. As its energy
consumption structure underwent positive changes, China has become the world’s
largest country in the use of new and renewable energy, with the total emissions
of major pollutants, energy consumption and water consumption per unit of GDP
continuing to decline. Green development has become an essential force driving
China’s quality development.
5. Unprecedented international cooperation for an ecological civilization:
build a community with a shared green future
China has actively undertaken its obligations as a major country and become
an important participant, contributor and leader in the construction of a global
ecological civilization through in-depth participation in global environmental governance, carrying out international exchanges and cooperation, and advocating the
building a beautiful Earth. First, China’s green development strategy has been
widely recognized. In 2013, the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) decided to promote the concept of ecological civilization
proposed by China; and in 2016, the United Nations released Green Is Gold: The
Strategy and Actions of China’s Ecological Civilization to introduce China’s experience. Second, China has redoubled its efforts to advance the green development
strategy. It has set a great example by releasing China’s National Plan on Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, implementing China’s