Erik Solheim recalled that over a decade ago, he was too worried about smog in Beijing to even run outdoors. Today, the former executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme makes time for morning runs whenever he returns to the city. Solheim said he has noted that most vehicles on the road were "quiet, pollution-free, cost-effective" new energy vehicles, demonstrating the results of China's green development approach.

Behind these visible changes is a broader effort to advance ecological progress.

China's landmark Ecological and Environmental Code took effect on Saturday, further strengthening the legal foundation for the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. As the second formal statutory code after the Civil Code, the legislation for the first time enshrines Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization in law.

As President Xi Jinping has said, "harmony between man and nature is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. China is a steadfast actor and major contributor to promoting global green development."

A philosophy that guides real change

"Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." First put forward in 2005 during Xi's visit to Yucun Village in Zhejiang Province, the "two mountains" concept – which means that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" – has transformed from a local slogan into a cornerstone of China's national strategy.

China now leads the world in renewable energy deployment. China's new renewable energy capacity additions hit a record high in 2025, accounting for over 60% of global additions. With around 300 million kilowatts of new wind and solar capacity this year, renewable energy has served as a major driver of green, low-carbon energy transition, per the National Energy Administration.

Clifford Cobb, a leading ecological economist in the United States, has closely followed China's environmental path. He believes the idea presents a new model of development. "Over the past 20 years, China has proven it's possible to protect nature while generating economic value," Cobb said. "It's a win-win vision the world can learn from."

Egyptian architect and sustainability expert Salah Hagar believes the ecological values championed by Xi's thought are universally relevant. "Respecting, adapting to, and protecting nature is essential to human development everywhere," he said.

A code built on years of ecological progress

China must have the strictest possible institutions and legislation in place to guarantee ecological progress, Xi has said.

Over the past decade, China has ramped up environmental legislation, strengthened enforcement and made major strides in implementing environmental regulations.

The country enshrined ecological civilization in its Constitution, implemented what was described as the country's "toughest-ever" environmental protection law, tackled pressing environmental problems from air and water pollution to noise and strengthened protection of key areas and fragile ecosystems, including the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and China's black soil region.

Another tough environmental mechanism is China's central environmental inspection system, which has strengthened accountability for local environmental protection and helped address long-standing problems in different regions.

These environmental improvements have translated into tangible benefits for local people, making environmental quality part of daily life.

Taking effect on China's fourth National Ecology Day, the Ecological and Environmental Code brings together years of legislative and regulatory progress, further strengthening the legal framework for ecological conservation.

The 1,242-article code, divided into five chapters, covers pollution control, ecological protection and green, low-carbon development, among other areas. It was formulated through systematic integration, compilation, revision and refinement of over 30 ecological and environmental laws, over 100 administrative regulations and more than 1,000 local laws and regulations.

The code also emphasizes that a sound ecological environment is the most universal form of public welfare. Specifically, its pollution prevention provisions cover not only traditional concerns such as air pollution and black, foul-smelling water but also emerging pollutants and newer environmental risks, including light pollution and electromagnetic radiation.

A green vision driving global cooperation

China's green development vision is powering global cooperation. A vivid example can be found on the vast steppes of northern Kazakhstan's Akmola Region, where renewable energy is transforming the local economy.

Engineer Khasabay Kinlosan is part of this transformation. Daily, he maintains over 40 wind turbines as part of a major Belt and Road cooperation project between China and Kazakhstan. These turbines produce over 800 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, reducing carbon emissions by 650,000 tonnes.

As the Belt and Road Initiative enters a new stage of high-quality development, China's philosophy of ecological and environmental governance is gaining resonance globally.

"China has become a leader in solar and wind power and is addressing global challenges such as climate change through action, not just words," said Almas Chukin, a prominent Kazakh economist.

This commitment to a shared green future extends far beyond Central Asia. It has supported low-carbon development and ecological capacity building in over 100 developing countries, particularly small island nations and African states.

Through multilateral platforms like the South-South Climate Cooperation Initiative and the Belt and Road's Green Development Partnership, China is exporting not only technologies but also development models and sustainability expertise.

China's contributions to global biodiversity are equally significant. In 2022, China hosted COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and helped broker the landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. UN officials noted that the agreement's success owes much to China's long-standing emphasis on a "whole-of-society" approach to environmental governance.

"President Xi's ecological civilization thought holds great theoretical value and has proven highly effective in practice," said Eliason Kaganga, a Tanzanian scholar focused on protecting Lake Victoria. "China's solutions – especially those that empower local people – are bringing lasting benefits to African countries and communities."