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J. Zhao
1. Presenting and developing the principle
In 2005, Xi Jinping, then Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province, put forth the idea
that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets during an inspection tour
to Yucun Village in Tianhuangping Township of Anji County. In 2006, Xi further
expounded the idea. The understanding of the relationship between a good natural
environment, i.e. lucid waters and lush mountains, and material wealth goes through
three stages. At the first stage, lucid waters and lush mountains are exploited for
material wealth. No or little consideration is given to the carrying capacity of the
environment. At the second stage, both material wealth and lucid waters and lush
mountains are valued, but the conflict between economic development and resource
shortage and environmental deterioration start to play out. People begin to realize
that the environment is the foundation of their survival and development and that
it is necessary to keep the mountains green so that we don’t have to worry about
firewood. At the third stage, people realize that lucid waters and lush mountains could
generate a constant stream of material wealth, and that are themselves invaluable
assets. The evergreens planted are money spinners. Ecological strengths can be turned
into economic benefits. The two become a harmonious unity.
In a speech delivered at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan on September
7, 2013, Xi explained the dialectical relationship between material wealth and the
environment. He said, “We need lucid waters and lush mountains. We also need
material wealth. If we have to choose between the two, it will be the environment.
And lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” In simple words, Xi fully
explained the meaning of the principle. First, the two form a dialectical unity. He said
economic development and environmental protection are both important for sustainable development. They are inseparable and mutually reinforcing. When economic
development contradicts environmental protection, the environment should be always
put first. The environment can never be sacrificed for material wealth, even if it
means some losses of economic benefits. At a meeting of the Political Bureau of
the CPC Central Committee held on March 24, 2015, the Guidelines on Accelerating Ecological Civilization was introduced, and the principle that lucid waters and
lush mountains are invaluable assets was included in an official document of the
central authorities and became a guiding principle for building an ecological civilization. On October 18, 2017, the principle was included in the report to the 19th
National Congress of the CPC and became one of the basic national policies as China
proceeded with socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era.
2. The scientific connotation of the principle
First, lucid waters and lush mountains are examples of natural assets. In a broad
sense, lucid waters and lush mountains refer to natural resources offered by the
environment, including water, land, forests, air, fossil energy, and various ecosystems
comprised of basic elements. Ecological resources have ecological significance in the
first place, which means that natural resources can provide ecological products and
services. For example, they can help adjust the climate, protect the soil and conserve
biodiversity. In addition, natural resources should be of economic value, which means
J. Zhao
1. Presenting and developing the principle
In 2005, Xi Jinping, then Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province, put forth the idea
that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets during an inspection tour
to Yucun Village in Tianhuangping Township of Anji County. In 2006, Xi further
expounded the idea. The understanding of the relationship between a good natural
environment, i.e. lucid waters and lush mountains, and material wealth goes through
three stages. At the first stage, lucid waters and lush mountains are exploited for
material wealth. No or little consideration is given to the carrying capacity of the
environment. At the second stage, both material wealth and lucid waters and lush
mountains are valued, but the conflict between economic development and resource
shortage and environmental deterioration start to play out. People begin to realize
that the environment is the foundation of their survival and development and that
it is necessary to keep the mountains green so that we don’t have to worry about
firewood. At the third stage, people realize that lucid waters and lush mountains could
generate a constant stream of material wealth, and that are themselves invaluable
assets. The evergreens planted are money spinners. Ecological strengths can be turned
into economic benefits. The two become a harmonious unity.
In a speech delivered at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan on September
7, 2013, Xi explained the dialectical relationship between material wealth and the
environment. He said, “We need lucid waters and lush mountains. We also need
material wealth. If we have to choose between the two, it will be the environment.
And lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” In simple words, Xi fully
explained the meaning of the principle. First, the two form a dialectical unity. He said
economic development and environmental protection are both important for sustainable development. They are inseparable and mutually reinforcing. When economic
development contradicts environmental protection, the environment should be always
put first. The environment can never be sacrificed for material wealth, even if it
means some losses of economic benefits. At a meeting of the Political Bureau of
the CPC Central Committee held on March 24, 2015, the Guidelines on Accelerating Ecological Civilization was introduced, and the principle that lucid waters and
lush mountains are invaluable assets was included in an official document of the
central authorities and became a guiding principle for building an ecological civilization. On October 18, 2017, the principle was included in the report to the 19th
National Congress of the CPC and became one of the basic national policies as China
proceeded with socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era.
2. The scientific connotation of the principle
First, lucid waters and lush mountains are examples of natural assets. In a broad
sense, lucid waters and lush mountains refer to natural resources offered by the
environment, including water, land, forests, air, fossil energy, and various ecosystems
comprised of basic elements. Ecological resources have ecological significance in the
first place, which means that natural resources can provide ecological products and
services. For example, they can help adjust the climate, protect the soil and conserve
biodiversity. In addition, natural resources should be of economic value, which means