Theoretical Reflection on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological …
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cascade phenomena. In this era, it is inexpensive to mobilize mass actions and such
action can easily expert huge influence. This means that the relationship between the
environment and society became a sensitive topic. It is generally stable, but it is very
necessary to guard against grey rhino incidents. Of course, if public enthusiasm for
and participation in environmental campaigns can be well harnessed, the structure
and effect of social and environmental governance can be improved across the board.
Time is the matrix of thoughts. Xi, with a forward-looking mindset, acutely
grasped the pulse of the times and revealed the underling laws governing the
relationship between the environment and social development.
On the economic, social and political nature of environmental issues, Xi said
in 2013 that China had entered to a stage when environmental problems happened
frequently after more than 30 years of rapid development, regarding environmental
protection as a major economic issue as well as a major social and political issue. What
a situation would it be when the economy grew, but people were shy of happiness
or even very dissatisfied? So, we cannot regard ecological progress, environmental
conservation and green and low-carbon lifestyle simply as an economic issue. It is
about politics. On an inspection tour to Hainan in 2013, Xi said a sound natural environment is the fairest public good and the most universally beneficial welfare. In 2017,
he said, “if the economy grew, but the ecosystem was destroyed, the environment
degraded, and people lived in smog, had no access to safe food, clean water, fresh
air, or liveable environment, that would not be a moderately prosperous society, or
modern society people aspired for. At the National Conference on Eco-environmental
Protection, Xi further stressed that “the environment is a major political issue which
bears upon the mission and purpose of the CPC as well as a major social issue which
bears upon public well-being.”
On the relationship between the environment and public well-being, Xi said in
2013 that the people are highly attentive to environmental issues. It is safe to say that
the environment will have an increasingly important position in the measurement
for a happy life. As the economy and society progress and people’s livelihoods are
improved, environmental issues would be more likely to spark public dissatisfaction
or even public incidents when they were not properly handled. In 2016, he said
frequently happening environmental pollutions had become problems that generate
great public anxiety. “We must put every effort into finding solutions to them.” The
most direct and vivid thesis on the relationship between the environment and public
well-being came from his remarks in 2015 when he joined lawmakers from Jiangxi
for discussions during the third session of the 12th National People’s Congress. “The
environment is crucial to the well-being of the public, since blue skies and verdant
surroundings allow us to feel the beauty and joy of life. We shall protect ecosystems
as preciously as we protect our eyes, and cherish them as dearly as we cherish our
lives.”
On the basis of Xi’s theses on the environment and society, the CPC included
a beautiful environment in the principal contraction facing Chinese society in the
new era for socialism with Chinese characteristics at its 19th National Congress.
In the report to the congress, the CPC stressed, “The modernization that we pursue
167
cascade phenomena. In this era, it is inexpensive to mobilize mass actions and such
action can easily expert huge influence. This means that the relationship between the
environment and society became a sensitive topic. It is generally stable, but it is very
necessary to guard against grey rhino incidents. Of course, if public enthusiasm for
and participation in environmental campaigns can be well harnessed, the structure
and effect of social and environmental governance can be improved across the board.
Time is the matrix of thoughts. Xi, with a forward-looking mindset, acutely
grasped the pulse of the times and revealed the underling laws governing the
relationship between the environment and social development.
On the economic, social and political nature of environmental issues, Xi said
in 2013 that China had entered to a stage when environmental problems happened
frequently after more than 30 years of rapid development, regarding environmental
protection as a major economic issue as well as a major social and political issue. What
a situation would it be when the economy grew, but people were shy of happiness
or even very dissatisfied? So, we cannot regard ecological progress, environmental
conservation and green and low-carbon lifestyle simply as an economic issue. It is
about politics. On an inspection tour to Hainan in 2013, Xi said a sound natural environment is the fairest public good and the most universally beneficial welfare. In 2017,
he said, “if the economy grew, but the ecosystem was destroyed, the environment
degraded, and people lived in smog, had no access to safe food, clean water, fresh
air, or liveable environment, that would not be a moderately prosperous society, or
modern society people aspired for. At the National Conference on Eco-environmental
Protection, Xi further stressed that “the environment is a major political issue which
bears upon the mission and purpose of the CPC as well as a major social issue which
bears upon public well-being.”
On the relationship between the environment and public well-being, Xi said in
2013 that the people are highly attentive to environmental issues. It is safe to say that
the environment will have an increasingly important position in the measurement
for a happy life. As the economy and society progress and people’s livelihoods are
improved, environmental issues would be more likely to spark public dissatisfaction
or even public incidents when they were not properly handled. In 2016, he said
frequently happening environmental pollutions had become problems that generate
great public anxiety. “We must put every effort into finding solutions to them.” The
most direct and vivid thesis on the relationship between the environment and public
well-being came from his remarks in 2015 when he joined lawmakers from Jiangxi
for discussions during the third session of the 12th National People’s Congress. “The
environment is crucial to the well-being of the public, since blue skies and verdant
surroundings allow us to feel the beauty and joy of life. We shall protect ecosystems
as preciously as we protect our eyes, and cherish them as dearly as we cherish our
lives.”
On the basis of Xi’s theses on the environment and society, the CPC included
a beautiful environment in the principal contraction facing Chinese society in the
new era for socialism with Chinese characteristics at its 19th National Congress.
In the report to the congress, the CPC stressed, “The modernization that we pursue