Today is World Environment Day. The construction of an ecological civilization concerns the future of the nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized: “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping, from the perspective of the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, has personally planned, deployed, and promoted the building of a Beautiful China, incorporating the construction of an ecological civilization into the “Five-in-One” overall layout of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.

Looking back, China has delivered remarkable results. The battle against pollution has achieved significant success. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, nearly 20 million high-emission vehicles were phased out. In 2024, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Fenwei Plain decreased by 18%, 10%, and 20% respectively compared to 2020. Water environment quality has continuously improved, with the remediation completion rates for the seven major river basins and key bays reaching 90% and 93.3% respectively. Over 3,000 heavily polluted water bodies in cities at the prefecture level and above have been basically eliminated, and the elimination rate in county-level cities has also exceeded 90%. In terms of ecological protection and restoration, the integrated protection and systematic management of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts have been solidly advanced. Major ecological projects such as the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, natural forest protection, and returning farmland to forest and grassland have been continuously implemented. In November 2024, the 3,046-kilometer-long ecological barrier surrounding the Taklamakan Desert was fully closed, with China’s ecological and environmental governance creating one miracle after another.

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that protecting the ecological environment is protecting productivity, and improving the ecological environment is developing productivity. As the process of building an ecological civilization gradually advances, the green and low-carbon transformation is also reshaping the foundation of China’s economy. Since 2012, China’s energy intensity has cumulatively decreased by over 26%, equivalent to saving 1.4 billion tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 3 billion tons, making it one of the countries with the fastest decline in energy intensity globally. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, the number of environmental impact assessment approvals for “high energy consumption and high emission” projects nationwide has continuously decreased; meanwhile, the number of assessments for wind power and new energy vehicle projects has been increasing, with year-on-year growth of 44.4% and 31.3% respectively in the first half of 2025. China’s industrial structure has been continuously optimized, and the “gold content” and “green content” of economic growth have improved simultaneously.

More gratifyingly, under the guidance of Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization, the concepts of respecting, conforming to, and protecting nature have taken deep root in people’s hearts. A simple, moderate, green, and low-carbon lifestyle has become a widespread trend. More and more cities are promoting ecological construction, more families are choosing green travel, and more enterprises are voluntarily taking on carbon reduction responsibilities. Building a Beautiful China has become the goal that the Chinese people aspire to.

On the international stage, China actively participates in global environmental governance, demonstrating the responsibility of a major country. As the country with the fastest and largest increase in global greening, China has contributed a quarter of the world’s new green area. By the end of 2025, China’s total installed renewable energy capacity reached 2.34 billion kilowatts, building the world’s largest renewable energy system. In addition, China has deeply engaged in South-South cooperation on climate change, signing 56 cooperation documents with 43 developing countries, holding over 300 training sessions on South-South climate change cooperation, and providing support to other developing countries, especially small island states, least developed countries, and African countries, in addressing climate change. Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions have injected strong impetus into building a shared future for all life on Earth.

The construction of an ecological civilization has no end point, only continuous new starting points. We must deeply understand the green development philosophy contained in “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” promote the implementation of various measures with the spirit of driving nails, and ensure that blue skies remain forever, green mountains stand forever, and clear waters flow forever.

Mountains and rivers are lush and clear. On the journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, a magnificent picture of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature is slowly unfolding. This is the call of the times, the expectation of the people, and our

Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program

The Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, often called the “Great Green Wall of China,” is a massive ecological engineering project initiated in 1978 to combat desertification and soil erosion across northern China. Spanning over 4,000 kilometers and covering 13 provinces, it involves planting billions of trees to create a barrier against the expanding Gobi Desert. The program has significantly improved local climates and reduced sandstorms, though it has faced challenges with water scarcity and tree survival rates.

Taklamakan Desert

The Taklamakan Desert, located in the Xinjiang region of China, is one of the world’s largest sandy deserts, known for its extreme aridity and harsh conditions. Historically, it was a critical part of the ancient Silk Road, with oases like Kashgar and Dunhuang serving as vital stopping points for caravans carrying goods and ideas between East and West. Despite its inhospitable environment, the desert has yielded significant archaeological discoveries, including mummies and Buddhist artifacts, revealing a rich history of trade and cultural exchange.

Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, also known as Jing-Jin-Ji, is a major economic and cultural hub in northern China centered around the capital Beijing, the port city of Tianjin, and the surrounding Hebei Province. Historically, this area has been the political heart of China for centuries, with Beijing serving as the imperial capital during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is a key focus of national strategy for coordinated development, aiming to integrate transportation, industry, and environmental protection to create a world-class urban cluster.

Yangtze River Delta

The Yangtze River Delta is a major economic and cultural region in eastern China, centered around the Yangtze River’s mouth and including cities like Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou. Historically, it has been a hub of trade, agriculture, and innovation for over a millennium, flourishing during the Song and Ming dynasties. Today, it remains one of China’s most dynamic areas, driving national growth with its advanced industries and global connections.

Fenwei Plain

The Fenwei Plain is a major geographical region in northern China, encompassing the valleys of the Fen and Wei Rivers in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. Historically, it is considered the cradle of ancient Chinese civilization, serving as the heartland of the Zhou dynasty and later the Qin dynasty, which unified China from its capital near present-day Xi’an. The plain’s fertile soil and strategic location made it a political, economic, and cultural center for thousands of years.