Theoretical Reflection on Xi Jinping
Thought on Ecological Civilization
Yong Ren
The National Conference on Eco-environmental Protection held in 2018 officially
established Xi Jinping Though on Ecological Civilization as a guiding principle. The
scientific foundation of the thought is laid as eight basic principles: First, civilization
may thrive if its natural surroundings thrive, and will suffer if its natural surroundings suffer. Second, harmonious coexistence between humans and nature must be
upheld. Third, our natural environment is precious. Fourth, there is no welfare more
universally beneficial than a sound natural environment. Fifth, our mountains, rivers,
forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands together form a biotic community. Sixth,
the strictest regulations and laws must be applied in protecting the environment.
Seventh, it is necessary to translate the idea of building a beautiful China into the
conscious actions of all people. Eighth, joint efforts must be made in building a
global ecological civilization. Xi Jinping Though on Ecological Civilization upholds
the general principles of historical materialism and dialectical materialism, and takes
roots in China’s national conditions, and the fine traditional Chinese culture. It is a
new understanding, new development and new practices of the laws of the development of human society, the building of socialism and the governing of the Party in
a new era for building a modern socialist county after four decades of reform and
opening-up of China. It is a new contribution to the theory of socialism with Chinese
characteristics, and is of particularly importance. It is also of global significance
as it represents the latest development of Marxism in a time when human society
has experienced industrial civilization for two centuries and entered the new era of
sustainable development.
Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization originates from theories and practices in the following three aspects. First, it inherits and develops Marxist ideas on the
relationship between man and nature. It summarizes and theorizes the approaches to
dealing with the relationship between man and nature in the history of human society
as well as that of China’s development. According to this thought, civilization may
Y. Ren (B)
Environmental Development Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, China
© China Environment Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 2021
J. Pan et al. (eds.), Beautiful China: 70 Years Since 1949 and 70 People’s Views
on Eco-civilization Construction, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6742-5_14
161
Thought on Ecological Civilization
Yong Ren
The National Conference on Eco-environmental Protection held in 2018 officially
established Xi Jinping Though on Ecological Civilization as a guiding principle. The
scientific foundation of the thought is laid as eight basic principles: First, civilization
may thrive if its natural surroundings thrive, and will suffer if its natural surroundings suffer. Second, harmonious coexistence between humans and nature must be
upheld. Third, our natural environment is precious. Fourth, there is no welfare more
universally beneficial than a sound natural environment. Fifth, our mountains, rivers,
forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands together form a biotic community. Sixth,
the strictest regulations and laws must be applied in protecting the environment.
Seventh, it is necessary to translate the idea of building a beautiful China into the
conscious actions of all people. Eighth, joint efforts must be made in building a
global ecological civilization. Xi Jinping Though on Ecological Civilization upholds
the general principles of historical materialism and dialectical materialism, and takes
roots in China’s national conditions, and the fine traditional Chinese culture. It is a
new understanding, new development and new practices of the laws of the development of human society, the building of socialism and the governing of the Party in
a new era for building a modern socialist county after four decades of reform and
opening-up of China. It is a new contribution to the theory of socialism with Chinese
characteristics, and is of particularly importance. It is also of global significance
as it represents the latest development of Marxism in a time when human society
has experienced industrial civilization for two centuries and entered the new era of
sustainable development.
Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization originates from theories and practices in the following three aspects. First, it inherits and develops Marxist ideas on the
relationship between man and nature. It summarizes and theorizes the approaches to
dealing with the relationship between man and nature in the history of human society
as well as that of China’s development. According to this thought, civilization may
Y. Ren (B)
Environmental Development Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, China
© China Environment Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 2021
J. Pan et al. (eds.), Beautiful China: 70 Years Since 1949 and 70 People’s Views
on Eco-civilization Construction, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6742-5_14
161