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S. Gao
endangering people’s health as a response to the most urgent concerns regarding
people’s life.
The feature of serving the people is also reflected in Xi’s other expositions on
the concept of ecological civilization, including the calls for public participation and
joint governance. To best serve the interests of the people, it is necessary to mobilize
all to engage in the endeavor, translate the initiative of building a beautiful China
into conscious actions of all people, and encourage everybody to do their bit for the
environment. In this way, the problem of environmental pollution can be addressed at
the lowest social and economic cost, ecological progress can be made in a sustainable
manner, and harmony between man and nature can be achieved. It is a responsible
action for the people, for the survival of the Chinese nation, and for the sustainable
development of the world to practice a green and low-carbon lifestyle and eschew
extravagancy and unnecessary consumption.
Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is fully based on science. An
embodiment of dialectics, it builds on and further enriches Marxist historical materialism. According to historical materialism, material forces of production are the
basis of all social activities, and the laws of nature must be observed in tapping into
the potential of forces of production. Development should never be achieved at the
expense of the environment. With the development history of human civilization in
mind, Xi stressed efforts to advance ecological progress and noted that protecting
and improving the ecological environment equalled developing productivity.
As he pointed out, “man and nature share a common future. We, as human beings,
must respect nature, follow its ways and protect it. Only by observing the laws of
nature, can mankind avoid costly blunders in its exploitation.”
Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is scientific in that it represents a
correct understanding of the law governing the cycle of matter in nature, and of the
shared future of man and nature. In 2013, using a holistic and creative approach, Xi
proposed the idea of “a shared future of our mountains, waters, forests, farmlands and
lakes,” and noted the importance of coordinated and concerted action to protect and
restore them. Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization respects the integrity and
underlying laws of the ecosystem. It enriches and develops Marxist views on nature,
system and ecology. While reflecting the conventional wisdom of the Chinese nation
in dealing with the relationships between nature and man, it arrives at conclusions that
echo the latest results of modern ecological studies and research of the relationships
between economic activities and the environment.
The science-based nature of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization can
also be seen in its emphasis on technological innovation. Green development is a
requirement of an ecological civilization. Green development of industries and the
development of green industries represent the future of technological and industrial
reforms and have a promising prospect. There is strong evidence that technological
innovations and progress are indispensable for the advancement of a civilization. To
solve environmental problems and promote the building of an ecological civilization,
we need scientific discoveries, technological inventions and product innovations. We
must leverage technological innovations to solve problems in green development and
promote a new development pattern featuring harmony between man and nature.
S. Gao
endangering people’s health as a response to the most urgent concerns regarding
people’s life.
The feature of serving the people is also reflected in Xi’s other expositions on
the concept of ecological civilization, including the calls for public participation and
joint governance. To best serve the interests of the people, it is necessary to mobilize
all to engage in the endeavor, translate the initiative of building a beautiful China
into conscious actions of all people, and encourage everybody to do their bit for the
environment. In this way, the problem of environmental pollution can be addressed at
the lowest social and economic cost, ecological progress can be made in a sustainable
manner, and harmony between man and nature can be achieved. It is a responsible
action for the people, for the survival of the Chinese nation, and for the sustainable
development of the world to practice a green and low-carbon lifestyle and eschew
extravagancy and unnecessary consumption.
Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is fully based on science. An
embodiment of dialectics, it builds on and further enriches Marxist historical materialism. According to historical materialism, material forces of production are the
basis of all social activities, and the laws of nature must be observed in tapping into
the potential of forces of production. Development should never be achieved at the
expense of the environment. With the development history of human civilization in
mind, Xi stressed efforts to advance ecological progress and noted that protecting
and improving the ecological environment equalled developing productivity.
As he pointed out, “man and nature share a common future. We, as human beings,
must respect nature, follow its ways and protect it. Only by observing the laws of
nature, can mankind avoid costly blunders in its exploitation.”
Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is scientific in that it represents a
correct understanding of the law governing the cycle of matter in nature, and of the
shared future of man and nature. In 2013, using a holistic and creative approach, Xi
proposed the idea of “a shared future of our mountains, waters, forests, farmlands and
lakes,” and noted the importance of coordinated and concerted action to protect and
restore them. Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization respects the integrity and
underlying laws of the ecosystem. It enriches and develops Marxist views on nature,
system and ecology. While reflecting the conventional wisdom of the Chinese nation
in dealing with the relationships between nature and man, it arrives at conclusions that
echo the latest results of modern ecological studies and research of the relationships
between economic activities and the environment.
The science-based nature of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization can
also be seen in its emphasis on technological innovation. Green development is a
requirement of an ecological civilization. Green development of industries and the
development of green industries represent the future of technological and industrial
reforms and have a promising prospect. There is strong evidence that technological
innovations and progress are indispensable for the advancement of a civilization. To
solve environmental problems and promote the building of an ecological civilization,
we need scientific discoveries, technological inventions and product innovations. We
must leverage technological innovations to solve problems in green development and
promote a new development pattern featuring harmony between man and nature.