Editor's note: "The Numbers of a Decade: A Journey through China's Modernization" is an interactive multimedia product developed by CGTN. It recounts the past decade's developments in China after the conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). This article offers a glimpse of insights that the product offers on environment. Hit here for the complete experience.

In "Xi Jinping: Governance of China III," Chinese President Xi Jinping sets out principles for protecting the eco-environment. Aiming for "harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature," Xi makes it clear that "a good eco-environment is the most inclusive form of public well-being." He also stresses the need to protect the eco-environment with the "strictest regulations and laws" and work together to promote a "global eco-civilization."

In line with this vision, the past decade saw China promising to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

This promise to the Earth and its inhabitants came hot on the heels of a decade of progress achieved in lowering its dependency on coal, shifting to alternative sources of energy, increasing forest coverage and biodiversity and taking a series of steps to mitigate climate change.

Importantly, China's carbon intensity in 2020 was 18.8 percent lower than that of 2015 and 48.4 percent less than that of 2005, which means that China had more than fulfilled its commitment to the international community – to achieve a 40- to 45-percent reduction in carbon intensity from the 2005 level by 2020.

For more details about China's accomplishments in the environment sector and an in-depth account of China's overall journey in the past decade, visit "The Numbers of a Decade: A Journey through China's Modernization."