Adhering to green development is a profound revolution in the concept of development.

It has been pointed out: “Promoting the greening and low-carbon transformation of economic and social development is a key link in achieving high-quality development.”

Thoroughly implementing these important directives, all regions and departments are going all out to advance ecological civilization construction, strengthen pollution prevention and control, and improve the living and working environment for the people, striving to build a modernization where humanity and nature coexist in harmony.

Strengthening the construction of the carbon market, promoting the deep transformation of traditional industries, and cultivating new quality productive forces; advancing the protection and construction of beautiful rivers and lakes, deepening the ecological protection of water in river basins; building a modern ecological environment monitoring system, enhancing the capacity and level of ecological environment monitoring… During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, China’s comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development has been solidly advanced, and significant strides have been made in building a Beautiful China.

Deepening the battle against pollution and optimizing ecosystems to build a strong ecological security barrier—

In Nanshan District, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, the greenway around Xili Lake is nestled among the mountains, forests, and lakeshore. “There used to be a lot of weeds and scattered rocks along the shore. Now the path is smooth and the scenery is beautiful, it’s a joy to see.” Li Wangqing, a resident living nearby, often comes here for walks. In February of this year, the entire greenway around Xili Lake was completed and opened. The local area adhered to low-impact development, restored the water system and forest landscape, providing citizens with a high-quality ecological space for walking, cycling, and enjoying flowers and gardens.

The battle against pollution is advancing in depth. In 2024, the average PM2.5 concentration in cities at the prefecture level and above nationwide dropped to 29.3 micrograms per cubic meter, a decrease of 16.3% compared to 2020. The proportion of surface water sections with good water quality reached 90.4%, exceeding 90% for the first time. The sky is bluer, the land greener, and the water clearer. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, the establishment of a natural protected area system with national parks as the main body accelerated, with the first five national parks, including Sanjiangyuan, being established. The area of ecological conservation redlines on land accounts for over 30% of the national land area, and the forest coverage rate exceeds 25%.

Firmly grasping the pace and intensity, actively and steadily advancing and achieving the carbon peak—

At the Zhapu Port Area of Jiaxing Port in Zhejiang, hydrogen-powered container trucks shuttle between the yard and the docks. “Since the first batch was put into operation in 2022, the Zhapu Port Area of Jiaxing Port has cumulatively deployed 100 hydrogen-powered container trucks, replacing two-thirds of the traditional heavy-duty trucks in the entire port, saving about 3 million yuan in fuel costs annually for the port.”

China has incorporated the “dual carbon” goals into the overall layout of ecological civilization construction and the broader context of economic and social development, insisting on the coordinated advancement of carbon reduction, pollution reduction, green expansion, and growth. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, China established the world’s largest carbon emission trading market in terms of covered greenhouse gas emissions, effectively controlling over 60% of the nation’s carbon dioxide emissions. It built the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system, with the total installed capacity of wind and solar power achieving the 2030 national independent contribution target ahead of schedule. Carbon dioxide emission intensity has continued to decline. By 2024, the proportion of clean energy consumption in China’s total energy consumption had risen to 28.6%, while the proportion of coal had decreased to 53.2%.

Accelerating the formation of green production and lifestyles, continuously shaping new drivers and advantages for development—

New energy vehicles transporting materials, desulfurization and denitrification of flue gas emissions, full coverage of online monitoring for environmental protection facilities… During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, the Bayuquan Steel Branch of Angang Steel Co., Ltd. completed ultra-low emission transformation for the entire steel production process. In the company’s central control room, an ultra-low emission smart management platform monitors the main pollutant discharge points in the plant area in real time. “If indicators at any point show an anomaly, the cause can be immediately identified and the problem resolved.”

China is vigorously promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of its industrial structure, energy structure, and transportation structure, accelerating the cultivation and

Xili Lake

Xili Lake is a scenic reservoir located in the Nanshan District of Shenzhen, China, originally constructed in the 1960s for irrigation and water supply. Today, it serves as a popular recreational area surrounded by parks and walking trails, reflecting Shenzhen’s transformation from rural landscape to modern metropolis.

Nanshan District

Nanshan District is a major urban and economic hub in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, located along the coast of the Pearl River Delta. Historically a rural area, its modern development accelerated dramatically after 1980 when Shenzhen was designated China’s first Special Economic Zone, with Nanshan becoming a center for high-tech industries and innovation, home to companies like Tencent. The district also features cultural sites such as the Nantou Ancient City, which dates back over 1,700 years to the Ming and Qing dynasties, showcasing the area’s deeper historical roots.

Shenzhen City

Shenzhen is a major modern metropolis in southern China’s Guangdong Province, directly north of Hong Kong. Originally a small fishing village, it was designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone in 1980, which catalyzed its unprecedented transformation into a global hub for technology, manufacturing, and finance. Its rapid development from the 1980s onward is often cited as a symbol of China’s economic reform and opening-up policy.

Guangdong Province

Guangdong Province is a major coastal region in southern China, historically significant as a longstanding center of maritime trade and cultural exchange. It is famously home to the Cantonese language and cuisine, and its history was profoundly shaped by its role as a key terminus of the Maritime Silk Road and, later, as a primary point of departure for Chinese emigration. In the modern era, it became the pioneering front of China’s economic reforms in the late 20th century, with cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou driving rapid industrialization and global trade.

Sanjiangyuan

Sanjiangyuan, meaning “Source of Three Rivers,” is a vast national nature reserve located on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai Province, China. It is the headwater region of the Yellow River, Yangtze River, and Mekong River, earning it the nickname “Asia’s Water Tower.” Historically, it has been a sacred and ecologically critical landscape for Tibetan nomadic cultures, and in recent decades it has become a major focus for China’s ecological conservation efforts to protect its fragile alpine wetlands and biodiversity.

Zhapu Port Area

Zhapu Port Area is a historic harbor located on the northern shore of Hangzhou Bay in Zhejiang Province, China. It served as a crucial international trading port and naval defense point during the Ming and Qing dynasties, particularly known for its role in maritime silk and tea exports. Today, it functions as a modern deep-water port within the larger Port of Jiaxing, blending its rich historical legacy with contemporary economic significance.

Jiaxing Port

Jiaxing Port is a major inland river port located in Zhejiang Province, China, situated along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Historically, its development has been closely tied to the canal’s centuries-old role as a vital transportation and trade artery. Today, it serves as a crucial modern logistics hub for the Yangtze River Delta region.

Zhejiang

Zhejiang is a coastal province in eastern China, historically renowned as a center of culture, commerce, and scholarly pursuits since the ancient Southern Song Dynasty. It is famed for its picturesque landscapes, such as Hangzhou’s West Lake, and its long tradition of silk production and porcelain craftsmanship, notably from Longquan celadon. Today, it remains one of China’s most prosperous economic regions, blending rich historical heritage with modern innovation.