Embracing a greener future

In his report delivered to the opening session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China on Oct 18, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that material, spiritual and ecological civilizations are all indispensable for a beautiful China.

Experience shows an ecological civilization may be the most difficult to achieve while the country pursues fast development because the consumption of resources is the easiest way to boost economic growth.

Yet while accumulating their wealth this way, people attach increasing importance to the ecological health of the country. But if ecological preservation or restoration cannot outpace the exploitation of nature, people will not enjoy spiritual peace, even if they are wealthy.

That's why Xi's report, which explains not only what the Party has been doing since 2012, but more importantly what it will do in the next five years and beyond, dedicates special chapters to the significance of green development.

Since its economy entered the new normal, green development has been a priority on the authorities' to-do list, and economic restructuring and industrial upgrading are both in line with the requirements for green development. Innovation is becoming a main driver for growth, effectively easing the burden of development on the environment.

People are also embracing more environmentally friendly lifestyles, and it is normal for the public to say no to extravagance, waste and irrational consumption. The rise of the internet-based sharing economy shows technology's role in striving for a new model of growth and new mindset.

A series of strict supervisory institutional arrangements for the environment, as well as a new evaluation system for the performance of officials have been enacted to press local governments to take the initiative to balance economic growth and ecological preservation.

Thus the just concluded Party Congress has consolidated the nation's confidence in its future.

-Beijing Youth Daily