The National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection was held in Beijing between May 18 and 19. MEE held an enlarged meeting of the Leading Party Members' Group and a staff assembly to convey the guiding principles of the conference, in order to have an in-depth understanding of the Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, align thoughts with and raise awareness on it, strengthen ecological and environmental protection from all respects and resolutely put up a tough fight against pollution to build a beautiful China.

On the morning of May 21, Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group and Minister Li Ganjie presided over the enlarged meeting which conveyed the important statements of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the remarks of Premier Li Keqiang, and the closing speech of Vice Premier Han Zheng at the conference, and made all-around arrangements for thoroughly implementing its guiding principles.

The meeting held that this year marks the first year for thoroughly implementing the Xi Jinping Thought for Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the guiding principles of the 19th National Congress of the CPC, the fortieth anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, and a crucial year for transiting from the first half of the 13th Five-Year Plan period to the second and for securing a decisive victory over completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way. It was a perfect timing for the CPC Central Committee to convene this conference to make major plans for comprehensively strengthening the ecological and environmental protection, and putting up a tough fight over pollution.

This conference is an epoch-making milestone in the development course of the ecological civilization and the ecological and environmental protection, marked by four unprecedented facts: the conference was convened by the CPC Central Committee for the first time; General Secretary never presented or spoke at such an event before; the first major policy document on strengthening ecological and environmental protection was printed and distributed on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council; and the conference was renamed as National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection, which was unprecedented. The major highlight of the conference was the official identification of the Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, which is a hallmark, innovative, and strategic theory of great importance, and a fundamental principle and overarching code for developing ecological civilization in the new era, that provides solid theoretical foundation and driving force behind the efforts in promoting ecological progress and strengthening the ecological and environmental protection.

The meeting noted that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has, from the strategic position of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics and realizing the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, placed the development of the ecological civilization and the ecological and environmental protection at a vital position in governing the country, and planned and carried out a raft of fundamental and pioneering efforts that take long-term interests into consideration. As a result, historic, holistic, and transformative changes have taken place in the awareness and practice of building ecological civilization. Historic achievements and reforms have been made in the ecological and environmental protection. Major theoretical and practical questions have been answered, such as the "why, what, and how" questions on developing ecological civilization. Those have constituted an integral part of the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era.

The meeting stressed that Xi's statements reflected Marxist positions, views, and methodologies. It is a masterpiece that radiates the glory of the Marxist truth and a marching order for putting up a tough fight against pollution, for strengthening the ecological and environmental protection in all respects, and for promoting the building of ecological civilization and of a beautiful China. It has set forth the goals, pointed out the direction, charted the course, and gleaned the momentum for enhanced ecological and environmental protection and the fight against pollution.

We should shore up our confidence in this endeavor, have an in-depth understanding of the General Secretary on the major strategic judgment that we are at a crucial window of opportunity for building the ecological civilization, overcome difficulties to put up a tough fight against pollution, and strengthen the ecological and environmental protection which is a weakness in securing a decisive victory over completing the building of a moderately prosperous society. We should work closely to establish the ecological civilization system, and make work plans and set specific goals, indicators, and standards based on Xi's thoughts and statements. We should shoulder the responsibilities for the ecological and environmental protection, and set up a multi-player framework for such protection. Furthermore, we should comprehensively strengthen the Party leadership, constantly raise the "four consciousness", safeguard the authority and collective and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and take upon the political responsibility for developing ecological civilization.

It is one of the major political tasks of the ecological and environmental protection branches across the country for now and for a period of time to come to study, communicate, and implement the guiding principles of the National Ecological and Environmental Protection Conference. To this end, the Party organizations at all levels and the majority of the officials should raise our political awareness and take the initiative to align our thoughts and actions with the guiding principles of the conference, and contribute our wisdom and resources to implementing the decisions and plans of the conference and meeting the objectives set forth at the event. We should arm our mind and guide our actions with the Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, and enable the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council as well as the guiding principles of the conference to take root and bear fruit across the ecological and environmental protection branches. We should list Xi's statements and the guiding principles of the conference as part of the theoretical study programs of the leadership core of the Leading Party Members' Group and the Party organizations at all levels, and make training programs and publicity plans to disseminate and interpret them from all dimensions, so as to create an environment in which the whole society values and contributes to the ecological and environmental protection. Also, we should go all out to carry out the institutional reforms in the ecological and environmental protection area, put emphasis on the tough fight against pollution, attract human resources to the main platforms and areas of the fight, and build a team of ecological and environmental protectors who have strong political awareness and tested work styles, and who are painstaking and dedicated. Furthermore, we will work fast to roll out work plans for the fight over pollution, under the guidance of the Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, and with the improvement of the ecological and environmental quality at the core. We will, with an aim to address pressing ecological and environmental problems, apply a myriad of instruments and develop meticulous plans to make further advances in the fight to secure a decisive victory.

Vice Minister Huang Runqiu, members of the Leading Party Members' Group and Vice Ministers Zhai Qing, Zhao Yingmin, and Liu Hua, Leader of the Discipline Inspection Group and a Leading Party Member Wu Haiying voiced their opinions at the enlarged meeting. They agreed that this conference is a grand gathering which ranks at the highest level, has the greatest turnout, and radiates the widest and most significant influence. They vowed that they would act upon the guidance of the Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, thoroughly implement the important statements of General Secretary Xi Jinping, Premier Li's remarks and Vice Premier Han Zheng's closing speech, in an effort to contribute to the fight over pollution and the building of a beautiful China.

The persons in charge of the internal departments attended the enlarged meeting. A staff assembly was convened for the same agenda in the afternoon.

(This English version is for your reference only.In case any discrepancy exists between the Chinese and English context, the Chinese version shall prevail.)