Towards Green Development: From an Option to an Objective
335
Secretary Xi Jinping put forward to “properly handle the relationship between environmental protection and economic development, that is, the relationship between
lucid waters and lush mountains and invaluable assets.” In a nutshell, “lucid waters
and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” Epistemologically, it means the integration of economy and environment. In practice, it is to develop eco-friendly growth
models and ways of life. In essence, it is to achieve the internal unity of development and protection that reinforces each other. In terms of the goal, it means
fulfilling the goal of enriching the country and benefiting the people through green
development. The statement that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable
assets” fundamentally changed the traditional understanding about zero or low value
of ecology and environment, redefined the value and updated the understanding. It
broke the constraints in the thinking that simply put development at the opposite side
of protection, while clarifying the methodology for realizing the internal unity and
harmonious co-existence of development and protection that reinforces each other.
2. The statement that “a sound ecological environment is the most inclusive welfare for the people” clarifies the fundamental purpose of green
development
A sound ecological environment and natural resources serve as the conditions and
foundation for the free and comprehensive development of human beings. The statement that “a good ecological environment is the most inclusive welfare for the people”
shows the basic view about the people’s livelihood under the framework of the Xi
Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. Promoting green development and the
dramatic increase in natural capital means to develop a sound ecological environment as a growth driver for the people’s living standards. In essence, it embodies
the people-oriented concept, conducive to achieving the harmony between man and
nature, between people, and between man and society. We should promote green
development and ecological protection in the interests of the people, focus on solving
the outstanding environmental problems doing harm to the health of the people, and
consistently meet the people’s growing demands for a beautiful environment. In this
way, we will deliver benefits to the entire society and every member of the society,
which is an important manifestation of an all-round moderately prosperous life shared
by all the people.
3 Green Targets and Evaluation Criteria Are the Baton
for Navigating China’s Green Development
Eco-environmental problems are fundamentally a problem of development mode.
The main culprit is the resource consumption and pollutant discharge in the socioeconomic activities of the mankind exceeded the carrying capacity of the earth. Therefore, in essence, the first thing to do to promote green development is to correct the
practice of seeking temporary economic growth at the cost of the environment and
335
Secretary Xi Jinping put forward to “properly handle the relationship between environmental protection and economic development, that is, the relationship between
lucid waters and lush mountains and invaluable assets.” In a nutshell, “lucid waters
and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” Epistemologically, it means the integration of economy and environment. In practice, it is to develop eco-friendly growth
models and ways of life. In essence, it is to achieve the internal unity of development and protection that reinforces each other. In terms of the goal, it means
fulfilling the goal of enriching the country and benefiting the people through green
development. The statement that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable
assets” fundamentally changed the traditional understanding about zero or low value
of ecology and environment, redefined the value and updated the understanding. It
broke the constraints in the thinking that simply put development at the opposite side
of protection, while clarifying the methodology for realizing the internal unity and
harmonious co-existence of development and protection that reinforces each other.
2. The statement that “a sound ecological environment is the most inclusive welfare for the people” clarifies the fundamental purpose of green
development
A sound ecological environment and natural resources serve as the conditions and
foundation for the free and comprehensive development of human beings. The statement that “a good ecological environment is the most inclusive welfare for the people”
shows the basic view about the people’s livelihood under the framework of the Xi
Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. Promoting green development and the
dramatic increase in natural capital means to develop a sound ecological environment as a growth driver for the people’s living standards. In essence, it embodies
the people-oriented concept, conducive to achieving the harmony between man and
nature, between people, and between man and society. We should promote green
development and ecological protection in the interests of the people, focus on solving
the outstanding environmental problems doing harm to the health of the people, and
consistently meet the people’s growing demands for a beautiful environment. In this
way, we will deliver benefits to the entire society and every member of the society,
which is an important manifestation of an all-round moderately prosperous life shared
by all the people.
3 Green Targets and Evaluation Criteria Are the Baton
for Navigating China’s Green Development
Eco-environmental problems are fundamentally a problem of development mode.
The main culprit is the resource consumption and pollutant discharge in the socioeconomic activities of the mankind exceeded the carrying capacity of the earth. Therefore, in essence, the first thing to do to promote green development is to correct the
practice of seeking temporary economic growth at the cost of the environment and