China Ecological Civilization Forum Huizhou Annual Conference was held in Huizhou Municipality of Guangdong Province between Dec. 2 and 3. The theme of this annual conference was “Ecological Civilization as Green Guidance-Study and Implement the Guiding Principles of the 19th National Congress of the CPC, and Promote the Building of a Beautiful China for a New Era”. Chen Zongxing, Vice Chairman of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC and President of China Ecological Civilization Research and Promotion Association (CECRPA) presented at the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. Minister Li Ganjie presented at the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Deputy Governor of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province Xu Ruisheng presided over the meeting.

Li stressed the importance to study, communicate, and implement the guiding principles of the 19th National Congress of the CPC, firmly establish the socialist outlook on ecological civilization, shape a new framework for the modernization drive featured with the harmony between man and nature, uplift ecological civilization and build a beautiful country.

In his remarks, Chen said the annual conference took place at an opportune timing for thoroughly studying and implementing the guiding principles of the 19th National Congress and discussing the theories and practices of ecological civilization for a new era.

The report to the Congress sublimes the ecological civilization philosophy and nature, further clarifies the general requirements for developing ecological civilization, and ushers ecological development in a new journey, said Chen. In order to build a beautiful China, we must shape a new framework for modernization featured with the harmonious development of man and nature, and lay emphasis on deepening the supply side structural reform, implementing countryside rejuvenation strategy, promoting balanced regional development, and solving pressing ecological and environmental problems.

In his keynote speech, Li said since the 18th National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has proposed a raft of new philosophies, thoughts and strategies on building ecological civilization and preserving the ecological environment, which has constituted the systematic, complete, major strategic thoughts on building ecological environment, as an integral part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

We should be based on the scientific outlook on nature that man and nature is a shared community of life, establish the green development outlook that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, hold onto the thought that sound ecological environment is the most universal wellbeing for the people, treat the mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, and lakes as an integral whole, observe the rigorous outlook on rule of law that toughest ecological and environmental protection systems should be implemented, embrace the win-win global outlook on building a clean and beautiful world, and thoroughly understand the major strategic thoughts of General Secretary Xi Jinping on building ecological civilization.

Over the past five years, China has been more aware of the importance of ecological and environmental protection than ever before, made unparalleled efforts in pollution control, introduced relevant institutions more often than ever, launched compliance inspection that outdo any previous inspections, and improved the environmental quality at an unprecedented high speed, said Li.

The 19th National Congress came up with a raft of new requirements, objectives, and plans for building ecological civilization and preserving the ecological environment, stressed Li. For now and for a period of time to come, we will thoroughly implement the guiding principles of the Congress and do the following to champion our ecological environment.

First, we will promote green growth models. We will establish and strictly observe the ecosystem function protection baseline, environmental quality bottom line, and natural resource utilization upper limits. We will optimize the industrial layout and accelerate the industrial and energy restructuring.

Second, we will address pressing environmental problems. We will win the battle to defend blue skies, work faster to control water pollution, and make tangible progress in cleaning our soils.

Third, we will step up the ecosystem protection. We will carry out major projects on the conservation and protection of valuable ecosystems, establish a system of protected areas dominated by national parks, and proceed further with the pilot projects on the restoration of mountain, water, forest, farmland, lake, and grassland ecosystems.

Fourth, we will deepen the reforms on ecological conservation and environmental protection schemes and mechanisms. We will reform the ecological environmental regulatory systems, tighten environmental inspection, expedite the reforms on pollution permitting, and improve the environmental credit rating system.

Fifth, we will launch green actions by all. We will enable the government to play a leading role, improve the self-discipline mechanism, and encourage public involvement.

Sixth, we will actively engage in global environmental governance. We will enhance the dialogue, communications, and pragmatic cooperation with the world countries, regions, and international organizations in the area of environmental governance, share the ecological civilization philosophy, and become a major participant, contributor, and leader in building ecological civilization in the world.