The “Two Mountains” Concept Transforms China and Leads the Era

August 15 marks the third National Ecology Day and the 20th anniversary of the proposal of the “Two Mountains” concept.

On this day two decades ago, Comrade Xi Jinping, then Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, visited Yu Village in Anji for an inspection and research trip, where he first articulated the scientific thesis that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.”

Guided by the “Two Mountains” concept, Yu Village has undergone a remarkable transformation, and China’s beauty continues to evolve. As a core tenet of Xi Jinping’s ecological civilization philosophy, the “Two Mountains” concept has not only profoundly changed China but also fostered global consensus and charted a path for harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

(I) Humanistic Foundation and People-Centered Vision

After a passing shower, Yu Village is lush with greenery and filled with the soothing chirps of cicadas. Gazing into the distance, mist lingers around the mountains, painting a picturesque scene of Jiangnan’s natural beauty.

Over 20 years ago, this small mountain village in northern Zhejiang presented a starkly different scene: where there were mines, the hills were blasted open; where there was water, waste was dumped directly. Dust filled the air, and streams turned murky…

Sticking to the old ways was unsustainable, but finding a new path felt uncertain. That afternoon, under sweltering heat, the small village committee meeting room was packed.

“We made a democratic decision to shut down the mines and polluting enterprises,” reported Bao Xinmin, then the village Party secretary, his voice tinged with hesitation.

“Closing the mines and factories was a wise move!” Comrade Xi Jinping responded with a smile, stating firmly, “We used to say we want both lucid waters and lush mountains as well as gold and silver mountains. In fact, lucid waters and lush mountains are gold and silver mountains—they inherently hold value.”

These few words illuminated the path forward for everyone.

The assertion that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” clarifies the relationship between economic development and ecological conservation, revealing that protecting the environment means safeguarding productivity, and improving the environment fosters development. It charts a new course for achieving harmony between growth and preservation.

“I lived for many years in a small village on China’s Loess Plateau, where the ecological environment was damaged, and people lived in poverty. I realized then that harming nature ultimately harms humanity.” During his seven years as an educated youth, ecological awareness took root in the young Xi Jinping’s mind. The profound philosophy behind the “Two Mountains” concept has deep origins.

In Liangjiahe, Shaanxi, Xi worked to build silt dams and biogas pits on the fragile Loess Plateau, improving living conditions. In Zhengding, Hebei, he waded across the sediment-laden Hutuo River with his bicycle, determined to manage the river and prevent floods. In Fujian, he marveled at the preciousness of Xiamen’s greenery, saying, “Coming from the north, every plant and stone in Xiamen feels valuable to me.” In Shanghai, he promoted industrial transformation, advocating for “adding value to industries while reducing energy consumption” and insisting that “ecological protection must be a precondition for economic development.”