China is taking significant strides in advancing green development as part of its broader modernization efforts. On October 10, 2023, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited Jiujiang City in Jiangxi Province. During his visit, he toured a section of the Yangtze River National Cultural Park and the Sinopec Jiujiang Company, observing local initiatives in ecological restoration and the transformation of petrochemical industries toward sustainable practices.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has embraced the principle that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” This ethos has guided the nation in promoting ecological civilization, enhancing afforestation, and improving living environments across urban and rural areas.
According to the White Paper on China’s Green Development in the New Era released by the State Council, China planted 64 million hectares of trees from 2012 to 2021, combated desertification over 18.53 million hectares, and restored more than 800,000 hectares of wetlands. The proportion of clean energy in China’s total energy consumption increased from 14.5 percent in 2012 to 25.5 percent by the end of 2021, while coal’s share decreased from 68.5 percent to 56 percent during the same period.
China has become a global leader in manufacturing clean energy generation facilities, particularly in wind and photovoltaic power. In the steel industry, 47 mills, accounting for a total of 243 million tons of steel capacity, achieved ultra-low emissions by 2022. Member mills of the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) invested 37.14 billion yuan in energy conservation and environmental protection in 2022, marking an 11.95 percent increase from the previous year.
These developments reflect China’s commitment to sustainable growth and its role in addressing global environmental challenges. By prioritizing green development, China continues to contribute to international efforts in combating climate change and promoting ecological balance.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
