Ecological Civilization in a Historical Perspective
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people have to pay for the benefits of modernization and industrialization. Therefore,
we should show both understanding and compassion from a historical and rational
perspective. In the meantime, we must be fully aware that environmental issues relate
to the very existence of Chinese nation and the wellbeing of generations to come.
Resolving the crisis and promoting harmony between man and nature is the only
right way forward for Chinese civilization and the fundamental approach to sustain
the Chinese nation. Once again the CPC has firmly and resolutely taken up this great
mission of the new era.
It is generally agreed that environmental protection in China, in the sense of
modern science, started in 1972, when China sent a delegation to participate in the
first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, capital of
Sweden. But before that, when the new China was just founded, the country already
began environmental work on a large scale, including river governance, afforestation,
water and soil preservation, wildlife protection, and the investigation and control of
solid, liquid and gas pollution. These efforts were the prelude to the development of
environmental protection in China. In the 1970s, environmental protection was put
on the state agenda and later designated as a basic state policy, and relevant work was
carried out from scratch on all fronts. In 1974, the State Council set up the leading
group of environmental protection, followed by the establishment of similar organizations of various types at all levels, which later were continuously adjusted and
developed to form a complete system. After China promulgated and implemented
the Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China (Trial) in 1979,
relevant laws and regulations were continuously perfected. It was also from the 1970s
that specialized work in various domains was carried out, including environmental
scientific research, cultivation of specialized talents, publicity, education and foreign
exchanges on environmental protection, and environmental assessment and quality
monitoring, so that environmental work became more and more professional, systematic and regular. Environmental protection enterprises, green industries, ecological
parks, environmental protection demonstration projects and natural and ecological
reserves have also been established in large quantities. Since the first National Conference on Eco-environmental Protection in 1973, the conferences in the following years
have discussed major problems and key strategies and witnessed substantial achievements in different periods. They have witnessed how this undertaking has evolved
from a departmental work to a national strategy, from the work of environmental
workers alone to the common action of the whole nation.
The special conditions in China have given its environmental cause some distinct
features. Environmental protection as a mankind’s common cause started in the
1970s, with China playing an active part in its commencement. At that time, western
countries had completed industrialization and become wealthy and advanced modern
societies, whereas Chinese people were still struggling for enough to eat. Therefore,
China’s economic takeoff after the 1980s was accompanied by environmental protection, during which development and protection was in sharp conflict and decisions
and actions were always faced with a hard choice. Western countries solved their
environmental problems by transferring their backward and low-end industries with
high consumption, high emission and heavy pollution (even polluting wastes directly)
553
people have to pay for the benefits of modernization and industrialization. Therefore,
we should show both understanding and compassion from a historical and rational
perspective. In the meantime, we must be fully aware that environmental issues relate
to the very existence of Chinese nation and the wellbeing of generations to come.
Resolving the crisis and promoting harmony between man and nature is the only
right way forward for Chinese civilization and the fundamental approach to sustain
the Chinese nation. Once again the CPC has firmly and resolutely taken up this great
mission of the new era.
It is generally agreed that environmental protection in China, in the sense of
modern science, started in 1972, when China sent a delegation to participate in the
first United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, capital of
Sweden. But before that, when the new China was just founded, the country already
began environmental work on a large scale, including river governance, afforestation,
water and soil preservation, wildlife protection, and the investigation and control of
solid, liquid and gas pollution. These efforts were the prelude to the development of
environmental protection in China. In the 1970s, environmental protection was put
on the state agenda and later designated as a basic state policy, and relevant work was
carried out from scratch on all fronts. In 1974, the State Council set up the leading
group of environmental protection, followed by the establishment of similar organizations of various types at all levels, which later were continuously adjusted and
developed to form a complete system. After China promulgated and implemented
the Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China (Trial) in 1979,
relevant laws and regulations were continuously perfected. It was also from the 1970s
that specialized work in various domains was carried out, including environmental
scientific research, cultivation of specialized talents, publicity, education and foreign
exchanges on environmental protection, and environmental assessment and quality
monitoring, so that environmental work became more and more professional, systematic and regular. Environmental protection enterprises, green industries, ecological
parks, environmental protection demonstration projects and natural and ecological
reserves have also been established in large quantities. Since the first National Conference on Eco-environmental Protection in 1973, the conferences in the following years
have discussed major problems and key strategies and witnessed substantial achievements in different periods. They have witnessed how this undertaking has evolved
from a departmental work to a national strategy, from the work of environmental
workers alone to the common action of the whole nation.
The special conditions in China have given its environmental cause some distinct
features. Environmental protection as a mankind’s common cause started in the
1970s, with China playing an active part in its commencement. At that time, western
countries had completed industrialization and become wealthy and advanced modern
societies, whereas Chinese people were still struggling for enough to eat. Therefore,
China’s economic takeoff after the 1980s was accompanied by environmental protection, during which development and protection was in sharp conflict and decisions
and actions were always faced with a hard choice. Western countries solved their
environmental problems by transferring their backward and low-end industries with
high consumption, high emission and heavy pollution (even polluting wastes directly)