Green development praised

Xi Jinping demanded a holistic and systematic approach to the conservation and improvement of mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, grasslands and deserts while delivering a report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Sunday.

Respecting, adapting to and protecting nature is essential for building China into a modern socialist country in all respects, he said.

Xi’s remarks struck a chord among CPC members, local cadres and representatives of the public who gathered to watch the live broadcast of the 20th CPC National Congress’s opening session Sunday morning.

“Part of the report on promoting green development makes me feel as if I have seen a brighter future,” said Qiu Tansong, a retired CPC member living in Jingui Community, Pingshan District.

“I believe the government will roll out more policies to further protect the ecological environment and leave to future generations blue skies, green vegetation and clear waters,” Qiu said.

Jingui Community has undergone tremendous changes by prioritizing ecological protection, according to the retiree. “Clear streams, lush fruit trees and more birds have attracted many people to come for leisure and tourism and the residents’ income has continued to grow,” Qiu said.

The concept of “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” was first put forward by Xi in 2005 when he visited Yucun, a village in Anji County, Zhejiang, in his capacity as secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee.

Villagers in Chishi Township, Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone watch the opening session of the 20th National Congress of the CPC on Sunday. The zone boasts abundant undeveloped green areas. Mo Rongbao

The metaphors of green mountains and gold mountains are easy for people to understand the relationship between environmental protection and economic development, the two of which do not conflict with each other, but can make progress side by side, according to earlier media reports.

After watching the opening session of the 20th CPC National Congress, Yao Tao from Guangming District’s water affairs bureau said that as a grassroots civil servant, it’s important for him to understand the importance of ecological conservation and the significance of the harmony between man and nature. “We will endeavor to improve the quality of the ecological environment and provide more quality ecological products so that the city’s sky is bluer, the mountains are greener and the waters are clearer,” Yao said.

Liu Guangyang, Party chief of Dapeng New Area, watched the opening session with other officials in the new area. They listened attentively, took notes from time to time and warmly applauded Xi for his remarkable speech.

When Xi noted that we should “adhere to the concept of ‘lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,’” the officials nodded and gave a knowing smile. Dapeng has benefited greatly from the green development concept, they said.