Developing Socialist Ecological Civilization …
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entities, and cultural development fosters a green atmosphere. In return, ecological progress forces the realization of green economic growth, scientific governance
mechanism, harmonious and joint social governance, and cultural ethics that cultivate ecology-conscious citizens. Therefore, on the strategic level, socialist ecological
progress with Chinese characteristics is not a phased or partial reform of industrial
civilization, but an overall transcendence of traditional industrial civilization, especially capitalist industrial civilization. On the institutional level, it neither upholds
a strict vertical and lateral division of government duties nor leaves all government
functions to the market, but deals with major tasks by pooling together resources
and forces in a coordinated way and tackles difficulties through strict Party governance, making sure the green political agenda is followed through. On the cultural
and ethical level, ecological civilization doesn’t equal environmental technologies,
but is an overall campaign aligned with national strategies. It conducts targeted
poverty alleviation in an ecological way, ensures environmental equity and justice,
and manifests socialist principles and superiority.
2. Systematic development by intensifying state governance capability
We should establish and improve the socialist ecological civilization system with
Chinese characteristics as required by General Secretary Xi Jinping. First, we should
create an ecological cultural system to enhance the whole society’s scientific and
moral capability of ecological civilization under the guidance of ecological values.
Second, we should create an ecological economic system that incorporates environmental impact assessment in the formulation and implementation of industrial development strategies and regional and local development plans, thus integrating industry
and ecology into an organic whole. Third, we should put in place the ecological target
and responsibility system, which sets the bottom-line environmental requirements
for different regions, river basins, sea areas and stages with the goal of improving
ecological quality. Fourth, we should establish an ecological institution, whereby
the legislative, judicial and executive sectors of ecological environment will be more
coordinated and complementary through the modernization of our governance system
and capability. Fifth, we should foster an ecological security system that, focused on
sound ecosystem circulation and effective prevention and control of environmental
risks, ensures the regional or national natural foundation to guarantee human survival
and development and sustainable economic and social development, and maintain
the integrity, stability and functionality of ecosystems.
3. Engagement in global ecological governance as a major and responsible
country
General Secretary Xi Jinping said “man and nature are in a community of life”
and called for building “a community with a shared future for mankind.” That is
the latest development of the Marxist community theory in China, which points
out the consistency between ecological civilization and the human community of
shared future and orients the former directly to the latter. A basic fact is that the
natural existence of mountains, water bodies, forests, farmland, lakes and grassland
407
entities, and cultural development fosters a green atmosphere. In return, ecological progress forces the realization of green economic growth, scientific governance
mechanism, harmonious and joint social governance, and cultural ethics that cultivate ecology-conscious citizens. Therefore, on the strategic level, socialist ecological
progress with Chinese characteristics is not a phased or partial reform of industrial
civilization, but an overall transcendence of traditional industrial civilization, especially capitalist industrial civilization. On the institutional level, it neither upholds
a strict vertical and lateral division of government duties nor leaves all government
functions to the market, but deals with major tasks by pooling together resources
and forces in a coordinated way and tackles difficulties through strict Party governance, making sure the green political agenda is followed through. On the cultural
and ethical level, ecological civilization doesn’t equal environmental technologies,
but is an overall campaign aligned with national strategies. It conducts targeted
poverty alleviation in an ecological way, ensures environmental equity and justice,
and manifests socialist principles and superiority.
2. Systematic development by intensifying state governance capability
We should establish and improve the socialist ecological civilization system with
Chinese characteristics as required by General Secretary Xi Jinping. First, we should
create an ecological cultural system to enhance the whole society’s scientific and
moral capability of ecological civilization under the guidance of ecological values.
Second, we should create an ecological economic system that incorporates environmental impact assessment in the formulation and implementation of industrial development strategies and regional and local development plans, thus integrating industry
and ecology into an organic whole. Third, we should put in place the ecological target
and responsibility system, which sets the bottom-line environmental requirements
for different regions, river basins, sea areas and stages with the goal of improving
ecological quality. Fourth, we should establish an ecological institution, whereby
the legislative, judicial and executive sectors of ecological environment will be more
coordinated and complementary through the modernization of our governance system
and capability. Fifth, we should foster an ecological security system that, focused on
sound ecosystem circulation and effective prevention and control of environmental
risks, ensures the regional or national natural foundation to guarantee human survival
and development and sustainable economic and social development, and maintain
the integrity, stability and functionality of ecosystems.
3. Engagement in global ecological governance as a major and responsible
country
General Secretary Xi Jinping said “man and nature are in a community of life”
and called for building “a community with a shared future for mankind.” That is
the latest development of the Marxist community theory in China, which points
out the consistency between ecological civilization and the human community of
shared future and orients the former directly to the latter. A basic fact is that the
natural existence of mountains, water bodies, forests, farmland, lakes and grassland
