Theoretical Reflection on Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological …
169
3 Biotic Community and Ecological Systems
An ecological system is a unit formed by biocenosis and the inorganic environment.
The system being a unit is determined by the spatial structure, material and energy
exchanges of various elements in the system. In the end, a special functional relationship is formed. Therefore, it is necessary to take a holistic approach to environmental
protection so as to achieve the best results.
According to the ecological systems theory, water, air, soil, living things and other
elements in the environment form a unit featuring universal connection. Comprehensive and systematic methods should be employed to manage the ecological system. As
the system has multiple functions including providing products, adjusting the environment and offering aesthetic value, a multi-target management approach should be
employed. Therefore, ecological system management is about applying general rules
and laws of the ecological system and employing comprehensive tactics to solve problems. Compared with traditional management methods, ecological system management aims to maintain a sound ecological system. It encompasses the management
of resources and the environment, pollution control and ecological conservation. It
focuses on preserving the integrity of the ecosystem and the functions of the system.
To achieve the core goal of maximizing public interests, multi-target management
measures are employed. Joint governance of the environment is achieved through
unified decision making, planning and actions, as well as cross-department and
inter-regional cooperation.
Xi put forth the principle that our mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and
grasslands together form a biotic community at the Third Plenary Session of the
18th CPC Central Committee. At the Fifth Meeting of the CPC Central Committee
Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs held in 2014, Xi said, “our
mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands together form a biotic
community. Just as humans need the fields for food, the fields need the rivers, the
rivers need the mountains, the mountains need the soils, and the soils need the forests
and grassland. It is a cycle that never ends.”
As for how to put the theory into practice, Xi put forth a series of guiding principles
and institutions for taming the water, restoring the ecosystem, and managing the
territorial space and cities.
Xi said during the sixth group study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th
CPC Central Committee that the territorial space is where an ecological civilization is developed. It is necessary to plan well the development of territorial space.
“Maintaining a balance between population, resources and the environment, and
promoting economic, social and ecological efficiency, we will develop an overall
plan for developing our land, and allot space to production, to daily life and to
ecological development as appropriate, in order to leave more space for nature’s
self-restoration, more fertile farmland for agriculture and blue sky, lush mountains
and lucid waters for future generations.” In 2014, Xi stressed at the Fifth Meeting
of the CPC Central Committee Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs
that a holistic approach should be adopted to water regulation. Water management
169
3 Biotic Community and Ecological Systems
An ecological system is a unit formed by biocenosis and the inorganic environment.
The system being a unit is determined by the spatial structure, material and energy
exchanges of various elements in the system. In the end, a special functional relationship is formed. Therefore, it is necessary to take a holistic approach to environmental
protection so as to achieve the best results.
According to the ecological systems theory, water, air, soil, living things and other
elements in the environment form a unit featuring universal connection. Comprehensive and systematic methods should be employed to manage the ecological system. As
the system has multiple functions including providing products, adjusting the environment and offering aesthetic value, a multi-target management approach should be
employed. Therefore, ecological system management is about applying general rules
and laws of the ecological system and employing comprehensive tactics to solve problems. Compared with traditional management methods, ecological system management aims to maintain a sound ecological system. It encompasses the management
of resources and the environment, pollution control and ecological conservation. It
focuses on preserving the integrity of the ecosystem and the functions of the system.
To achieve the core goal of maximizing public interests, multi-target management
measures are employed. Joint governance of the environment is achieved through
unified decision making, planning and actions, as well as cross-department and
inter-regional cooperation.
Xi put forth the principle that our mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and
grasslands together form a biotic community at the Third Plenary Session of the
18th CPC Central Committee. At the Fifth Meeting of the CPC Central Committee
Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs held in 2014, Xi said, “our
mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands together form a biotic
community. Just as humans need the fields for food, the fields need the rivers, the
rivers need the mountains, the mountains need the soils, and the soils need the forests
and grassland. It is a cycle that never ends.”
As for how to put the theory into practice, Xi put forth a series of guiding principles
and institutions for taming the water, restoring the ecosystem, and managing the
territorial space and cities.
Xi said during the sixth group study session of the Political Bureau of the 18th
CPC Central Committee that the territorial space is where an ecological civilization is developed. It is necessary to plan well the development of territorial space.
“Maintaining a balance between population, resources and the environment, and
promoting economic, social and ecological efficiency, we will develop an overall
plan for developing our land, and allot space to production, to daily life and to
ecological development as appropriate, in order to leave more space for nature’s
self-restoration, more fertile farmland for agriculture and blue sky, lush mountains
and lucid waters for future generations.” In 2014, Xi stressed at the Fifth Meeting
of the CPC Central Committee Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs
that a holistic approach should be adopted to water regulation. Water management