Putting Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological
Civilization into Action and Promoting
Green Development
Shiji Gao
1 Distinctive Features: For the People, Science-Based,
Practice-Oriented, for the World and of the Times
A distinctive feature of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is that it
serves the people. “The people-oriented approach to development is a fundamental
principle of Marxist political economics.” “The original aspiration and mission of
Chinese Communists is to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation
for the Chinese nation.” This is both the starting point and the ultimate goal of Xi
Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The aim
of building an ecological civilization is to improve people’s well-being and meet
people’s increasing needs for a better life. Xi Jinping said, “A good environment is
the fairest public goods and most inclusive benefits for the people. Wealth is important
for people’s survival, but lush mountains and lucid waters are also an important part
of a happy life and cannot be replaced by money. When you had money, but the air and
drinking water were tainted, how could life be happy?” As China’s per capita GDP
exceeded $9000 and its Engle coefficient (the proportion of food expenses) continued
to decline, people are asking for an ever better environment. “A good environment
is the fairest public goods.” In simple words, Xi expounds on what people’s wellbeing is at the current stage of development, and provides an insightful explanation
of the people-oriented approach to development. China’s central authorities respond
to people’s call, and ensure that a sound environment benefits the people. Making
environmental protection a top priority, China rolled out a slew of action plans to
prevent and control air, water and soil pollution, and address prominent problems
The article is based on “Building Ecological Civilization, Advancing Green Development” by Gao
Shiji and Li Zuojun. The original article was published in the ninth issue of Social Sciences in China
in 2019.
S. Gao (B)
Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies, Development Research Center of the
State Council, 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_15
175
Civilization into Action and Promoting
Green Development
Shiji Gao
1 Distinctive Features: For the People, Science-Based,
Practice-Oriented, for the World and of the Times
A distinctive feature of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is that it
serves the people. “The people-oriented approach to development is a fundamental
principle of Marxist political economics.” “The original aspiration and mission of
Chinese Communists is to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation
for the Chinese nation.” This is both the starting point and the ultimate goal of Xi
Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The aim
of building an ecological civilization is to improve people’s well-being and meet
people’s increasing needs for a better life. Xi Jinping said, “A good environment is
the fairest public goods and most inclusive benefits for the people. Wealth is important
for people’s survival, but lush mountains and lucid waters are also an important part
of a happy life and cannot be replaced by money. When you had money, but the air and
drinking water were tainted, how could life be happy?” As China’s per capita GDP
exceeded $9000 and its Engle coefficient (the proportion of food expenses) continued
to decline, people are asking for an ever better environment. “A good environment
is the fairest public goods.” In simple words, Xi expounds on what people’s wellbeing is at the current stage of development, and provides an insightful explanation
of the people-oriented approach to development. China’s central authorities respond
to people’s call, and ensure that a sound environment benefits the people. Making
environmental protection a top priority, China rolled out a slew of action plans to
prevent and control air, water and soil pollution, and address prominent problems
The article is based on “Building Ecological Civilization, Advancing Green Development” by Gao
Shiji and Li Zuojun. The original article was published in the ninth issue of Social Sciences in China
in 2019.
S. Gao (B)
Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies, Development Research Center of the
State Council, 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_15
175