186
J. Zhao
master plan, from 1986 to 1990, an ecological agricultural system featuring mutually
reinforcing and coordinated development of farming, forestry and herding should be
preliminarily set up; and from 1991 to 2000, there should be a better ecosystem, a
sound economic system, an energy system that meet the needs, a flexible information
system, an advanced labor system and a strong technological system. With plain
language, such goals represent new a development vision and specific ways to achieve
it, expressing the idea of promoting harmony between man and nature.
In Ningde, Xi pondered on how to vitalize the underdeveloped eastern Fujian
Province and help local people shake off poverty. Xi was well aware of the local
conditions: Agriculture was the mainstay, while coastal and mountainous areas had
vastly different economic structures. Based on this, Xi called for all-round development of farming, forestry, herding, fishing, and agricultural product processing
based on specific conditions. He made forestry development as a strategic issue,
saying that when the mountains got green, eastern Fujian would get rich. It represents the insightful understanding that forestry was the key to poverty alleviation in
eastern Fujian. Xi also attached importance to technology for better use of resources.
He advocated driving agricultural development with technologies and depending on
the technology to develop and use resources that could not be used before, or to
extend the use of existing resources. Such an approach to resource development is
based on a virtuous cycle and dynamic balance of the natural system. It emphasizes
respecting and complying with natural laws and realizing sustainable development
featuring a good balance between human production and consumption and the natural
ecosystem.
2. The exploration stage
After Xi was transferred to Zhejiang Province, his ideas on an ecological civilization were further developed. During this stage, Xi’s ideas on ecological development
were extended to cover the ocean ecosystem. Based on the Green Zhejiang initiative proposed by the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Xi further expounded
on the relationship between ecological development and civilization development.
At this stage, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization became a relatively
complete system. The focus shifted to interactions between ecological conservation and economic development. He put forth strategies for ecological advancement suitable for local conditions. The thought acquired philosophical significance
as it evolved from an approach targeted at individual or special cases to a more
general principle. When working as Party Secretary of Zhejiang, Xi said, “We pursue
harmony between man and nature. In simple words, we want lucid waters and lush
mountains, as well as material wealth.” In an op-ed titled “Lucid Water and Lush
Mountains Are Invaluable Assets” published in Zhejiang Daily, Xi said, “When
ecological advantages are translated into strengths in ecological agriculture, ecofriendly industry and eco-tourism, lucid waters and lush mountains will become
invaluable assets.”
J. Zhao
master plan, from 1986 to 1990, an ecological agricultural system featuring mutually
reinforcing and coordinated development of farming, forestry and herding should be
preliminarily set up; and from 1991 to 2000, there should be a better ecosystem, a
sound economic system, an energy system that meet the needs, a flexible information
system, an advanced labor system and a strong technological system. With plain
language, such goals represent new a development vision and specific ways to achieve
it, expressing the idea of promoting harmony between man and nature.
In Ningde, Xi pondered on how to vitalize the underdeveloped eastern Fujian
Province and help local people shake off poverty. Xi was well aware of the local
conditions: Agriculture was the mainstay, while coastal and mountainous areas had
vastly different economic structures. Based on this, Xi called for all-round development of farming, forestry, herding, fishing, and agricultural product processing
based on specific conditions. He made forestry development as a strategic issue,
saying that when the mountains got green, eastern Fujian would get rich. It represents the insightful understanding that forestry was the key to poverty alleviation in
eastern Fujian. Xi also attached importance to technology for better use of resources.
He advocated driving agricultural development with technologies and depending on
the technology to develop and use resources that could not be used before, or to
extend the use of existing resources. Such an approach to resource development is
based on a virtuous cycle and dynamic balance of the natural system. It emphasizes
respecting and complying with natural laws and realizing sustainable development
featuring a good balance between human production and consumption and the natural
ecosystem.
2. The exploration stage
After Xi was transferred to Zhejiang Province, his ideas on an ecological civilization were further developed. During this stage, Xi’s ideas on ecological development
were extended to cover the ocean ecosystem. Based on the Green Zhejiang initiative proposed by the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Xi further expounded
on the relationship between ecological development and civilization development.
At this stage, Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization became a relatively
complete system. The focus shifted to interactions between ecological conservation and economic development. He put forth strategies for ecological advancement suitable for local conditions. The thought acquired philosophical significance
as it evolved from an approach targeted at individual or special cases to a more
general principle. When working as Party Secretary of Zhejiang, Xi said, “We pursue
harmony between man and nature. In simple words, we want lucid waters and lush
mountains, as well as material wealth.” In an op-ed titled “Lucid Water and Lush
Mountains Are Invaluable Assets” published in Zhejiang Daily, Xi said, “When
ecological advantages are translated into strengths in ecological agriculture, ecofriendly industry and eco-tourism, lucid waters and lush mountains will become
invaluable assets.”