How China is creating ‘green life’

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Industrialization in the West and rapid development in China have brought severe punishments down on humanity.

Friedrich Engels wrote: "Let us not get too intoxicated with a victory over nature. For each such victory, nature will take her revenge on us."

As the contradictions between economic growth and environmental protection have intensified, China has faced a test of resolve, courage and sense of responsibility.

Scenery of Saihanba forest in north China's Hebei Province. /Xinhua Photo

"We must not sacrifice the ecological environment for temporary economic growth. We would like to have both a clean environment and material wealth.," Chinese President Xi Jinping said, "However, we’d rather have a clean environment than the latter since green hills and clear waters are themselves riches."

Across China, the number of wetland nature reserves has grown from 553 five years ago to 602 today. Under a national system of wetland protection, 85 percent of wildlife and 65 percent of higher flora communities have received effective protection.

China has invested over 110 billion yuan in restoring the country's marine ecology in the past five years. In tackling desertification, by reducing the area of deserts by nearly 2,000 square kilometers on average a year, China has already achieved the goal set by the UN of zero desert growth by 2030.

"By protecting the environment, we protect productivity. By improving the environment, we improve the productive forces," Xi said when attending the G20 Hangzhou Summit in 2016. "This simple truth is being accepted by more and more people."

Temple of Heaven under blue sky in Beijing. /Xinhua Photo

In 2013, China declared war on pollution.

In both the Yangtze and Pearl River Deltas, the levels of harmful PM2.5 particles in the air have been reduced by over 30 percent. In the fight against pollution, China reduced steel production capacity by 65 million tons and coal output capacity by 290 million tons in 2016 alone.

China is now the world leader in energy conservation and new energy usage. Everyone in China wants to play a major role in creating a new "green life."

Tree-planting is conducted as a nationwide campaign. Thirty million hectares of new forests have been planted in the course of the past five years. China's total area of newly-planted forests, at nearly 70 million hectares, is the largest in the world.

For the country’s children and grandchildren, and for their children and grandchildren, China promises magnificent mountains and rivers.

"I hope the whole of China will enjoy blue skies, green hills and clear waters for all time. May our children enjoy a fine ecological environment," said Xi during a tree-planting activity in 2017. "This is a key part of the Chinese dream."

By working together to "green" their home, the country's people are creating this Amazing China.