Developing Socialist Ecological Civilization …
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bottom line of equity and justice. If making a group of people, some regions or a
generation wealthy first sacrifices the environment of the majority, of other regions
and of future generations, such environmental inequity is sure to exacerbate social
inequity. That’s why ecological civilization must coordinate the interests of different
groups, regions and generations. It is not the simple summation, but an inherent
unification of socialism and ecological progress; nor is it a fashionable outcome of
humanists and environmentalists, but the inevitable choice given the actual national
conditions. Ecological civilization and socialism will promote each other across the
board.
3. Centering on the people
“Ecological civilization is a cause jointly undertaken and shared by the people.
Building a beautiful China should be a voluntary action of all,” said General Secretary Xi Jinping. Being fundamentally people-oriented, ecological civilization is set to
“create a sound production and living environment for the people” and “continuously
meet people’s growing needs for a beautiful ecological environment.” This is the most
prominent, fundamental and universal livelihood campaign with people at its core.
Therefore, when it comes to environmental issues, we must endow the people with
the right to access to information on ecological or environmental crisis; the right
to exercise supervision, particularly over government-funded public projects that
impact the environment; and the right to participate, especially in making strategic
decisions concerning environmental security. Only by relying on and mobilizing the
people can we truly co-build an ecological civilization and share its benefits, making
sure that everyone will participate in, promote and benefit from this undertaking.
4. Reflecting an ideological consciousness
The topic of ecological and environmental protection has become an ideological
tool in the game of diverse interest groups. To win this ideological battle, we must
firmly control the dominant power and discourse power in ecological progress and
occupy the ideological high ground with advanced ecological concepts. To boost
global economic recovery and cope with such challenges as climate change and
energy and resource crisis after the global financial crisis in 2008, the international
community, especially western developed countries, all put forth and implemented
“green new deal,” “green economy” and “green growth,” triggering a new struggle for
international discourse power. In advancing our ecological progress, China should
foster a green concept that transcends class interests and political mindset, aim for
equity, justice, democracy and the rule of law, and forge consensus, dispel divergence
and realize solidarity to the largest extent. This not only relates to our ecological and
environmental security, but also our ideological and cultural security.
5. Promoting exchange and mutual learning between different civilizations
On the one hand, ecological civilization provides a platform of theoretical fusion and
practices for various socialist schools. Traditional socialist schools, such as scientific
405
bottom line of equity and justice. If making a group of people, some regions or a
generation wealthy first sacrifices the environment of the majority, of other regions
and of future generations, such environmental inequity is sure to exacerbate social
inequity. That’s why ecological civilization must coordinate the interests of different
groups, regions and generations. It is not the simple summation, but an inherent
unification of socialism and ecological progress; nor is it a fashionable outcome of
humanists and environmentalists, but the inevitable choice given the actual national
conditions. Ecological civilization and socialism will promote each other across the
board.
3. Centering on the people
“Ecological civilization is a cause jointly undertaken and shared by the people.
Building a beautiful China should be a voluntary action of all,” said General Secretary Xi Jinping. Being fundamentally people-oriented, ecological civilization is set to
“create a sound production and living environment for the people” and “continuously
meet people’s growing needs for a beautiful ecological environment.” This is the most
prominent, fundamental and universal livelihood campaign with people at its core.
Therefore, when it comes to environmental issues, we must endow the people with
the right to access to information on ecological or environmental crisis; the right
to exercise supervision, particularly over government-funded public projects that
impact the environment; and the right to participate, especially in making strategic
decisions concerning environmental security. Only by relying on and mobilizing the
people can we truly co-build an ecological civilization and share its benefits, making
sure that everyone will participate in, promote and benefit from this undertaking.
4. Reflecting an ideological consciousness
The topic of ecological and environmental protection has become an ideological
tool in the game of diverse interest groups. To win this ideological battle, we must
firmly control the dominant power and discourse power in ecological progress and
occupy the ideological high ground with advanced ecological concepts. To boost
global economic recovery and cope with such challenges as climate change and
energy and resource crisis after the global financial crisis in 2008, the international
community, especially western developed countries, all put forth and implemented
“green new deal,” “green economy” and “green growth,” triggering a new struggle for
international discourse power. In advancing our ecological progress, China should
foster a green concept that transcends class interests and political mindset, aim for
equity, justice, democracy and the rule of law, and forge consensus, dispel divergence
and realize solidarity to the largest extent. This not only relates to our ecological and
environmental security, but also our ideological and cultural security.
5. Promoting exchange and mutual learning between different civilizations
On the one hand, ecological civilization provides a platform of theoretical fusion and
practices for various socialist schools. Traditional socialist schools, such as scientific