Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has approached ecological civilization from the long-term perspective of the Chinese nation’s sustainable development. It has deeply recognized the pivotal role and strategic importance of ecological advancement within the broader cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era. Through theoretical, practical, and institutional innovation, the CPC Central Committee has introduced new concepts, principles, and strategies, driving historic, transformative, and comprehensive shifts in ecological development. Significant progress has been made in building a Beautiful China, as Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-Civilization has taken shape as a guiding framework.

Epochal leap in approach to sustainable development

Grounded in scientific theory, Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-Civilization has opened up a new development path that respects, follows, and protects nature. It emphasizes that “promoting the green development model and a green way of life represents a profound revolution in people’s mindset on development,” embedding the concept of green development across all stages and sectors of economic and social progress. In practice, China has decisively moved away from the outdated model of sacrificing the environment for economic gain, instead exploring new, sustainable development paths.

Building on the “community of life” concept, China has adopted systems engineering to guide nationwide ecological conservation and restoration. It has coordinated key regional strategies, tackled acute environmental issues, and fought the critical battle against pollution. The dual carbon goals—peaking emissions and achieving carbon neutrality—have been integrated into the broader eco-civilization framework, balancing development with emission cuts, national with regional priorities, and long-term with short-term needs. These efforts have created practical paths to green, low-carbon development, demonstrating Chinese insights and action on global warming.

With its distinctive contemporary relevance, profound theoretical foundation, and powerful practical guidance, Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-Civilization has radically reversed the traditional trend of “emphasizing economy over ecology,” achieving an epochal leap in the nation’s approach to sustainable development.

Historic achievements

This shift in thought has led to concrete, historic achievements. Air quality nationwide has improved markedly. In 2024, the average concentration of PM2.5 in cities at the prefecture level and above was 29.3 micrograms per cubic meter—down more than 30% from 2015—with good air quality days becoming the norm. Water quality has also improved steadily: The share of surface water sections with good water quality rose from 67.8% in 2016 to 90.4% in 2024.

Ecosystem stability has been significantly enhanced. Forest coverage increased from 16.55% in the early 2000s to over 25%, with forest area and volume both registering continuous growth for many years—making China the country with the largest increase in forest resources globally. Meaningful progress has also been made in biodiversity conservation: Populations of rare and endangered species, including giant pandas, crested ibises, and Amur tigers and leopards, are steadily increasing. These achievements have reshaped China’s ecology and greatly enhanced public satisfaction and security, laying a strong foundation for a Beautiful China.

Transformative changes

Transformative ecological changes reflect a deeper revolution in development paradigms and governance systems. Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-Civilization has enabled China to bridge the long-standing divide between development and environmental protection, bringing about fundamental, system-wide shifts in development philosophy, approaches, and governance methods.

In terms of development strategy, China has stayed firmly on the path of ecological priority and green development. It has worked to optimize its energy structure—retaining the world’s largest installed capacities for hydropower, wind power, and solar power—and continued upgrading its industrial structure while vigorously developing green, low-carbon industries.

On the governance front, China has implemented the strictest ecological and environmental protection regime in its history. Central environmental inspections now function as a “sword of Damocles,” hanging over all 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The nation’s toughest-ever Environmental Protection Law, along with its supporting legislation, has exerted powerful deterrent effects. Innovative mechanisms such as the river and lake chief system and the forest chief system have been widely implemented. The Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) accounting system has been piloted in many areas, and the ecological compensation framework continues to improve.

Together, these structural reforms mark China’s comprehensive transition to a new stage of high-quality development—one that respects, follows, and protects nature. This transition has addressed the long-standing contradiction between development and environmental protection at its root and charted a viable path toward a model of modernization characterized by harmony between humanity and nature.

Comprehensive shifts

Comprehensive shifts in ecological advancement are evident across three key dimensions. First is spatial breadth: From cities to villages, plains to mountains, and land to sea, a coordinated system of planning, governance, and protection is now in place. The concept of a “community of life” linking mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts has gained wide acceptance.

Second is sectoral integration. Green living has become mainstream, with values of simplicity, moderation, and low-carbon living broadly embraced. Ecological awareness is growing, supported by the systematic incorporation of environmental education into the national curriculum.

Third is China’s evolving role in international governance. The country now actively participates in global climate governance, strives to fulfill its carbon peaking and neutrality commitments, and advocates for a fair, cooperative global climate framework. In doing so, it contributes Chinese insight, solutions, and strength to the shared pursuit of a cleaner, more beautiful world.

Wu Haijiang is a professor from the School of Marxism at Fudan University.