Feel the pulse of reform and opening up in the new era in green development——Written on the occasion of the second National Ecological Day
Ren Ping
People's Daily (August 14, 2024, Page 01)
Respecting nature, adapting to nature, protecting nature and promoting harmonious coexistence between man and nature are the distinctive features of China's modernization.
"The construction of an ecological civilization is a fundamental plan concerning the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, a major political issue concerning the party's mission and purpose, and a major social issue concerning people's livelihood and well-being." On the occasion of the National Ecological Day on August 15, 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping issued important instructions and emphasized.
In July 2024, the "Decision" of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China proposed: "Deepen the reform of the ecological civilization system."
Since the new era, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core has insisted on green and low-carbon development as a fundamental solution to ecological and environmental problems. The construction of ecological civilization has achieved remarkable results, and the construction of a beautiful China has taken major steps forward.
The practical answer sheet of green development is a moving chapter of comprehensively deepening reform in the new era. From it, we can truly feel the pulse of reform and opening up in the new era. "We should firmly believe that China's path of reform and opening up will surely succeed."
Green and low-carbon development and harmonious coexistence between man and nature will affect more than just China.
Not long ago, a cargo ship carrying China's first order of Brazilian soybeans with "zero deforestation and zero vegetation destruction" arrived at Tianjin Port. This green order purchased by COFCO International for Mengniu Group's subsidiaries is a concrete action by China to actively develop green trade and promote the green and low-carbon transformation of global agriculture. It demonstrates China's responsibility to promote sustainable development and reflects China's major transformation from a participant in global environmental governance to a leader. "This move is of milestone significance," some foreign media commented.
(one)
"my country's economic and social development has entered a stage of high-quality development with accelerated greening and low-carbonization." Focusing on building a beautiful China, accelerating the green and low-carbon transformation of development methods, and enhancing the potential and stamina of high-quality development will benefit the present and future generations.
Yu Village in Anji, Zhejiang, is a mountain village famous for its "Two Mountains Theory". In the 1990s, the village relied on the mountains to build lime kilns, brick factories and cement factories. However, extensive development led to flying sand in the air and mud in the river. Where is the way out? Yu Village's confusion has become a microcosm of an era.
The modernization of high degree of "time and space compression" is unprecedented in human history. It took only a few decades to complete the industrialization process that took Western developed countries hundreds of years to complete. "Growing pains" and "problems after development" followed one after another. The constraints of resources, environment and other factors are very prominent, and the high-consumption, high-emission development model is unsustainable...
December 2012, Guangdong. After the 18th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping made a resounding statement during his inspection tour outside Beijing: "We cannot follow the old path of the United States and Europe in building a modernized country. Even if we had several more Earths, they would not be enough for the Chinese people to consume." "It is unsustainable to follow the old path of consuming resources and polluting the environment!"
The old road is blocked, where is the new road?
Thoughts guide the direction, and theoretical innovation solves problems and answers questions.
It is proposed that "adhering to green development is a profound revolution in the concept of development", and that "green development is an inevitable requirement for the construction of ecological civilization, represents the direction of current scientific and technological and industrial changes, and is a promising development field", and emphasizes "firmly establishing and practicing the concept that green waters and green mountains are gold and silver mountains, and unswervingly following the path of ecological priority and green development", and making it clear that "green development is the background color of high-quality development, and new quality productivity itself is green productivity"...
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, we have adhered to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implemented Xi Jinping's economic thoughts and Xi Jinping's thoughts on ecological civilization, fully and accurately implemented the new development concept, and integrated the concept of green development into all aspects of the entire process of economic and social development, leading the world's second largest economy to embark on a magnificent green journey.
From "looking forward to blue sky" every day to "taking pictures of blue sky" frequently, from 2015 to 2023, the average concentration of fine particulate matter PM2.5 in prefecture-level cities and above in my country dropped from 46 micrograms/cubic meter to 30 micrograms/cubic meter, making China the country with the fastest improvement in air quality in the world.
By adopting short-process electric furnace steelmaking, the comprehensive energy consumption per ton of steel in the new plant of Hebei Iron and Steel Group Shigang Company has been reduced by 62%, the water consumption per ton of steel has been reduced by 46%, and the main pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides have been reduced by 75%. Bulk materials such as iron ore are transported point-to-point from the Jingtang Port Area of Tangshan Port to the plant area through elevated closed belt corridors...Hegang Group Tangshan Iron and Steel Company has implemented ultra-low emission transformation for the entire production process and gradually built a low-carbon, circular green production system. Since the launch of the green factory cultivation work in 2016, my country has cultivated eight batches of 5,095 national-level green factories, involving multiple key energy-consuming industries such as steel, building materials, and chemicals, and the output value accounts for more than 17% of the total output value of the manufacturing industry.
Today, China's ecological environment continues to improve. In 2023, my country's energy consumption per unit of GDP and carbon emission intensity will drop by more than 26% and 35% respectively compared with 2012, "becoming one of the countries with the fastest decline in energy intensity in the world"; more than half of the new installed capacity of renewable energy power generation in the world, and 1/4 of the world's new green area comes from China. Michael Greenstone, an American economist who has long studied global energy policies, commented: "We have not found any other country in history that can reduce pollution so drastically in such a short period of time."
"One drop of water generates six times of electricity", the Baihetan Hydropower Station has been put into operation, and six giant cascade hydropower stations on the main stream of the Yangtze River have been connected in a string. The Yangtze River Golden Waterway has been transformed into a clean energy corridor. As of February 2024, the cumulative power generation has exceeded 3.5 trillion kWh, equivalent to saving more than 1 billion tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 2.8 billion tons.
"Air turns into a 'super power bank'", in Yingcheng, Hubei, the world's first 300-megawatt compressed air energy storage power station can store energy for 8 hours and release energy for 5 hours a day, with an annual power generation of about 500 million kilowatt-hours, indicating that my country's new compressed air energy storage technology is at the forefront of the world.
Today, China has achieved higher quality development. From building the world's largest and most complete new energy industry chain, to focusing on building a green, low-carbon circular economic system, to continuously promoting the adjustment of industrial and energy structures, my country's comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development has achieved remarkable results, and new development momentum and new advantages have been continuously cultivated and strengthened.
High-quality development is the hard truth of the new era and the primary task of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way. Adhering to ecological priority and green development, coordinating the promotion of carbon reduction, pollution reduction, green expansion and growth, and laying a green foundation for high-quality development will surely win advantages, initiative and the future on the new journey.
(two)
"Use reform to solve problems in development." Since the new era, "all-round, in-depth and fundamental" reforms have promoted "historic, revolutionary and pioneering" achievements, and green development has become a powerful witness.
The green transformation and upgrading of the industry has entered the "fast lane". In Yulin, Shaanxi, the production line of an energy and chemical company is busy. After heating, separation, catalysis and polymerization, black coal is transformed into coal-based biodegradable materials, which are widely used in high-value-added products such as safety seats. With the innovation of green science and technology and the promotion and application of advanced green technologies, the digitalization and intelligence of the industry are deeply integrated with greening.
Green transformation policies and systems are very effective. In Dezhou, Shandong, a green factory received a large order and urgently needed funds. The "Green Finance Demonstration Branch" set up by the local bank sent a "financial consultant" to complete the loan in just one day. From strengthening fiscal and tax policy support to playing the leading role of green finance, the policy support and institutional guarantees provided for green transformation are constantly improving, helping to build an efficient ecological green industrial cluster.
Ecological advantages are being transformed into development advantages at a faster pace. The "Regulations on Ecological Protection Compensation" came into effect on June 1 this year. Ecological product trading centers have been established in many places, and innovative mechanisms for realizing the value of ecological products have been created... Through reform and improvement of institutional mechanisms, the path of transforming green mountains and clear waters into gold and silver mountains has been continuously expanded, and the forest "water reservoir, money reservoir, grain reservoir, and carbon reservoir" have been better linked.
Green and low-carbon lifestyles are becoming a trend. You can enjoy discounts by scrapping old cars and buying new energy vehicles; when ordering food on food delivery platforms, you can choose "no tableware required" to display the amount of carbon reduction and earn corresponding points; when riding a bicycle, the carbon reduction amount is credited to the account, and can be exchanged for travel benefits after meeting certain conditions... Green consumption has become a new trend, and the concept of low-carbon and environmental protection has taken root in people's hearts.
From the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issuing the "Opinions on Accelerating the Comprehensive Green Transformation of Economic and Social Development", making systematic planning and overall deployment for accelerating the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, to coordinating and optimizing the spatial layout of agriculture, ecology, towns and other types, promoting the connotation-based intensive green development of urban space, to strengthening regional green development cooperation in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Yangtze River Delta region, the Yellow River Basin and other regions, and creating a green development highland...
General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that "the ecological environment problem is ultimately a problem of development mode and lifestyle". Reform has injected strong impetus and provided powerful support to accelerate the formation of green production and lifestyle and take the path of civilized development with developed production, affluent life and good ecology.
Achieving the "dual carbon" goal is a broad and profound change. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "it is not others who want us to do it, but we ourselves want to do it", which fully demonstrates the strategic initiative of promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of development mode through reform. John Johnson, CEO of the British Commodity Research Institute China, believes that China's proposal of the "dual carbon" goal has important global significance.
In July 2021, the national carbon emission rights trading market was officially opened. In January this year, the national voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading market was launched. In May this year, 15 departments jointly issued the "Implementation Plan for Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System", so that the carbon emissions of products from production, storage, transportation, circulation to scrapping can be "traceable", helping to develop new quality productivity and achieve the "dual carbon" goals.
From in-depth implementation of the "Carbon Peak Action Plan before 2030", to implementing the "1+N" policy system for carbon peak and carbon neutrality, to launching carbon credit platforms and personal carbon account products... guided by the "dual carbon" work, we will promote the gradual shift of dual control of energy consumption to dual control of carbon emissions, and strive to reduce carbon in development and achieve higher-quality development in carbon reduction.
"Reform is generated by the pressure of problems and deepened by continuously solving problems."
The "Decision" of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee made major arrangements for "improving the green and low-carbon development mechanism" and proposed a series of major reform measures, including improving the green consumption incentive mechanism and improving the clean and efficient use of coal.
By using a combination of rule of law, market, technology and policy to provide basic support and strong guarantee for the construction of a beautiful China, we will be able to increase the "gold content" of growth by using the "green content" of development, and promote ecological priority, conservation and intensive use, green and low-carbon development.
Practice has fully proved that if we treat the "problem list" as a "reform list", have the firm determination to reform to the end, take real actions, dare to face difficulties, and exert efforts precisely, in a coordinated and sustained manner, we will definitely be able to provide strong impetus and institutional guarantees for China's modernization.
(three)
Openness is a distinctive feature of Chinese-style modernization. In high-level opening up, China is committed to expanding the convergence of interests with other countries and constantly bringing new impetus to the world with its own new development. China is not pursuing modernization in isolation, but is looking forward to working together with other countries to promote the modernization of all countries in the world.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "China is firmly committed to the path of high-quality development with ecological priority, green and low-carbon development, which will provide more opportunities for the world and make greater contributions to the progress of all mankind."
100% biodegradable tableware made from sugarcane pulp, composite flooring made from straw as an alternative raw material... At the Canton Fair held in April this year, more than 450,000 green products were favored by overseas merchants. From 2013 to 2022, the scale of China's green trade has basically maintained a growth trend, with the total import and export volume increasing from US$814.43 billion to US$1,079.28 billion, injecting strong momentum into global green development.
By honing its skills in open competition, China's new energy industry has made great contributions to the global response to climate change and green transformation. As the world's largest renewable energy market and equipment manufacturer, China's wind power and photovoltaic products have been exported to more than 200 countries and regions around the world. "China provides relevant services and support to other countries, significantly improving the accessibility of clean energy technologies and reducing the cost of using green technologies worldwide," said Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency.
In September 2021, General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly announced: "China will vigorously support the green and low-carbon energy development of developing countries and will no longer build new coal-fired power projects overseas." At present, China's investment in green and low-carbon energy in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative has exceeded traditional energy. China has become a major contributor to global energy transformation investment, with a cumulative investment scale reaching half of the global total.
In the Agadez region of Niger, the diesel-solar-storage complementary project undertaken by China Energy Construction has been put into operation, and the local power supply has been improved from 4-6 hours to 24 hours. In Port Viliam, India, the Indian automated terminal built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries has officially started operation. Its second and third phases are scheduled to be completed in 2028 and will become one of the world's most environmentally friendly ports. In the Port of Barcelona, Spain, Chinese new energy vehicles have entered the European market, which has not only injected new vitality into this old port, but also effectively promoted local green development...
The joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative has always adhered to the green background. China will continue to deepen cooperation in green infrastructure, green energy, green transportation and other fields, and use openness and cooperation to help the global green and low-carbon transformation, so that the dream of green and low-carbon development in developing countries can be lit up, and the concept of green development can be spread to the hearts of people in all countries.
In October 2023, the United Nations Environment Programme announced that it would award the "Champions of the Earth Award", a high-level honor in the United Nations environmental protection field, to China's new model of marine plastic waste management, "Blue Cycle", in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the management of plastic pollution in coastal waters. The "Blue Cycle" is jointly participated by more than 6,300 people, 10,180 ships and more than 230 companies in Zhejiang, benefiting the front-line collection groups and achieving a "win-win" situation for ecology and enriching the people.
From promoting the conclusion, signing, entry into force and implementation of the Paris Agreement, leading the global response to climate change; to successfully hosting the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), opening a new chapter in global biodiversity governance... Adhering to the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, leading the global green and low-carbon transformation with Chinese ideas and practices, contributing to global environmental governance with Chinese wisdom and solutions, and jointly building a clean and beautiful world, this is the responsibility and obligation of a major country that leads the times and has the world in mind.
Modernization is inseparable from opening up, and opening up achieves modernization. Adhering to the basic national policy of opening up to the outside world and pursuing a mutually beneficial and win-win opening-up strategy will continuously expand the development space of Chinese-style modernization and promote the realization of world modernization with peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity.
Reform and opening up is only in the present tense, not the past tense.
Feeling the pulse of reform and opening up in the new era in green development, we are more determined to persist in making good use of this important magic weapon of reform and opening up to solve problems in development, cope with risks and challenges on the road ahead, and continuously transform our country's institutional advantages into national governance effectiveness. We will surely turn the grand blueprint of Chinese-style modernization into a beautiful reality.
The tide is rising in the East, and the situation is changing. It is time to further deepen reform and promote Chinese-style modernization.