Nestled in the verdant landscapes of east China’s Zhejiang Province, Yucun Village stands today as a testament to China’s commitment to ecological conservation. With its rolling green tea mountains, vibrant flower fields, and charming architecture adorned with traditional white walls and black tiles, Yucun has been named one of the world’s “Best Tourism Villages.” But this picturesque scene belies a past marked by environmental degradation.
The Transformation of Yucun Village
Two decades ago, Yucun was a stark contrast to its current beauty. The sky was grey, the water polluted, and the trees were cloaked in dust. The village’s economy relied heavily on limestone mining and processing industries, which took a severe toll on the environment.
Recognizing the grave consequences, village officials made the bold decision in the early 2000s to close down the cement plants and mines. In a visit to Yucun on August 15, 2005, Xi Jinping, then Party Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), praised this move as “wise.” He introduced a visionary concept: “We used to say that we wanted both lucid waters and lush mountains, as well as mountains of gold and silver. In fact, lucid waters and lush mountains are mountains of gold and silver.”
This philosophy spurred a transformation not only in Yucun but across China. By embracing sustainable development, Yucun turned its natural beauty into economic prosperity through eco-tourism, serving as a model for other regions.
China’s Commitment to Ecological Conservation
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has made significant strides in environmental protection, acting on the belief that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” In 2015, a revised environmental protection law came into effect, hailed as the strictest in history. Pollution control became a national priority, identified as one of the “three tough battles” alongside poverty relief and risk control.
China’s achievements are noteworthy:
- Forest coverage has exceeded 24%, doubling from the early 1980s. Over the past decade, more than 68 million hectares of new forests have been planted, ranking first globally in newly planted forest area.
- Water quality has markedly improved, with 84.9% of surface water sections achieving excellent quality, approaching levels seen in developed countries.
- Wildlife populations have rebounded amid efforts to build the world’s largest national park system, established in 2021, covering 230,000 square kilometers and protecting key terrestrial wildlife species.
- Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP have decreased by 36.7% compared to 2012. From 2013 to 2022, PM2.5 density, a key indicator of air pollution, fell by 57%, with a 92% reduction in days with severe air pollution.
International Recognition and National Ecology Day
China’s philosophy of ecological progress has garnered international attention. In 2013, the United Nations Environment Programme promoted this approach, and in 2016, it released a report on China’s strategies and practices in ecological conservation. Reflecting the importance of environmental protection, August 15 was designated as China’s National Ecology Day last year, commemorating Xi Jinping’s 2005 visit to Yucun and his influential concept.
Deepening Reforms for a Beautiful China
In July, the Central Committee of the CPC adopted a resolution to further deepen reform and advance Chinese modernization, emphasizing ecological conservation. Sun Jinlong, secretary of the Leading Party Members Group of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, highlighted plans to develop a responsibility system for building a Beautiful China and to refine the modern environmental governance system.
Key initiatives include:
- Establishing a region-specific, differentiated, and targeted ecological environment management system.
- Fully implementing an emissions permit system.
- Enhancing oversight of natural resource asset owners, developers, and regulators.
- Developing a national carbon market and a voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reduction market.
- Establishing a market-oriented innovation system for green technologies.
Conclusion
Yucun Village’s journey from environmental degradation to sustainable prosperity exemplifies China’s dedication to ecological civilization. By valuing lucid waters and lush mountains as mountains of gold and silver, China is forging a path toward harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, offering valuable lessons for global ecological conservation efforts.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
