On December 15, 2022, at the opening ceremony of the second phase of the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, President Xi Jinping stated:
“A thriving ecology is the foundation of a thriving civilization. We must work together to advance the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, build a community of all life on Earth, and create a clean and beautiful world.”
In the vast expanse of the universe, Earth is the only home on which all of humanity depends. It has nurtured countless forms of life and sustained the splendor of human civilization. Yet, with accelerating industrialization and urbanization, accompanied by rapid population growth, global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution have intensified. To address these challenges, all nations must collaborate closely, respect nature, follow nature’s laws, protect ecosystems, and abandon short-sighted and self-serving behaviors. Only then can sustainable human development be achieved. In recent years, China has devoted itself to this mission, striving to contribute to the building of a clean and beautiful world.
Action Speaks Louder Than Words
By the end of 2024, the Taklamakan Desert Green Barrier Project—a 3,046-kilometer ecological protection belt—was successfully completed, creating a vast “green shield” around the desert. This ecological milestone not only curbs desert expansion but also revitalizes southern Xinjiang by enabling new livelihood opportunities, improving agricultural conditions, and fostering industries linked to desert resources.
In Ordos, Inner Mongolia, a unique model of energy transition has emerged—advancing with the power of wind and sunlight, rapidly forming clusters of new-energy industries.
China’s Ecological Progress — Remarkable Achievements
Through coordinated efforts in carbon reduction, pollution control, ecological restoration, and green growth, China’s environmental quality has continued to improve since the launch of the 14th Five-Year Plan:
- In 2024, the average PM2.5 concentrations in major cities fell by 16.3% compared with 2020;
- The proportion of good-quality air days reached 87.2%;
- The share of surface water at good or excellent quality reached 90.4%, exceeding 90% for the first time;
- The forest coverage rate surpassed 25%, with forest stock volume exceeding 20 billion cubic meters;
- 90% of terrestrial ecosystem types and 74% of nationally protected wild flora and fauna species are now effectively conserved.
International Cooperation — China’s Contribution to a Cleaner and More Beautiful Planet
China not only enhances its domestic ecological governance but also strengthens international cooperation to support other countries in environmental protection.
Kazakhstan
In northern Kazakhstan’s Akmola region, where steppe and desert meet, strong Siberian winds provide abundant wind-energy resources. Through high-quality joint construction under the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Kazakhstan have built wind farms that generate more than 800 million kWh of clean electricity annually, reducing 650,000 tons of carbon emissions.
Tanzania
Along the shores of Lake Victoria, local fisherman Kato Msa recounts that water degradation and overfishing once made fishing increasingly difficult. Since 2013, Chinese research institutions have cooperated with Tanzania’s fisheries research centers to restore the lake’s ecosystem, provide water-quality monitoring equipment, and train fishermen in scientific fishing and fish-meal production—significantly improving their livelihoods.
Brazil
In Brazil, the jointly built Belo Monte Ultra-High Voltage (UHV) Transmission Project helps deliver clean hydropower from the Amazon basin over long distances while protecting ecological systems along the route. Experts have noted that more than 200 hectares of forest vegetation have been restored, and wildlife—such as foxes—has reappeared in certain areas.
South Africa
In South Africa, the China-constructed De Aar Wind Power Project has been connected to the grid, helping the country reduce dependence on coal and other traditional energy sources.
Insights from Global Scholars
Renowned American ecological economist Clifford Cobb remarked:
“Over the past twenty years, China has demonstrated to the world that a nation can both protect its natural environment and create economic value. China’s innovative ideas and sound development path offer valuable inspiration. The theory of China’s ecological civilization can foster new values and behavioral models, providing important lessons for global sustainable development.”
Toward a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind
Guided by Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, China integrates its national development with global progress and, under the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, continues to advance the creation of a clean, beautiful, and sustainable world.
Corresponding Authors: Liu Jingwei1* and Saima Anwaar2
*1 Academy of Marxism, Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, P.R. China
2 College of Marxism Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, P.R. China
