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Speaker:

Mr. Huang Runqiu, minister of ecology and environment

Chairperson:

Mr. Chen Wenjun, spokesperson of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)

Date:

Sept. 15, 2022

Chen Wenjun:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. Today, we are holding the 32nd press conference under the theme of "China in the past decade." We have invited Mr. Huang Runqiu, minister of ecology and environment, to brief you on applying the new development philosophy and building a beautiful China where humanity and nature exist in harmony and take your questions. 

Now, let's give the floor to Mr. Huang Runqiu for his introduction.

Huang Runqiu:

Thank you, Mr. Chen. Friends from the press, good morning. As the 20th CPC National Congress draws nearer, I am very pleased to brief you here on the historic achievements China has secured in ecological conservation and environmental protection over the past decade since the 18th CPC National Congress. In fact, we have witnessed the battle against pollution and the historic progress of ecological conservation together in recent years, and you have told China's stories in ecological progress well in your own way and made your contributions to ecological conservation. Here on behalf of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you.

Over the past decade since the 18th CPC National Congress, new historic achievements and transformations have been secured in the cause of the Party and the country. The same is true in the field of ecology and environment. The past decade has witnessed the deepest understanding, the greatest efforts, the most solid measures, the fastest progress, and the most remarkable results in ecological conservation and environmental protection. To conserve the ecological environment, the CPC Central Committee has made unprecedented efforts on various fronts in terms of thinking, law, system, organization and conduct, and carried out a series of tasks of fundamental, pioneering and long-term significance, bringing about historic, transformative and overall changes in ecological conservation and environmental protection. The entire Party and country have become remarkably more conscious of and proactive in promoting green development, and have created miracles in ecological and green development attracting global attention. We have embarked on a path of sustainable development featuring advanced production, higher living standards and sound ecosystems, and made major headway in building a beautiful China.

In terms of guiding thoughts, General Secretary Xi Jinping, keeping in mind the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, has vigorously promoted innovation in theories, practices and systems of ecological conservation, put forward a series of new, creative concepts, ideas and strategies, and formed Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, providing a fundamental guide to action for ecological conservation and environmental protection.

In terms of strategic deployment, we have included building a beautiful China into the goals of building a great modern socialist country, ecological conservation into the Five-sphere Integrated Plan, harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature into the basic strategy of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and green development into the new development philosophy, pollution prevention and treatment into the three critical battles (alongside fighting potential risk and poverty). It is fair to say that the planning and arrangements to make progress on the ecology have been improved and become more systematic and more mature.

In terms of reform measures, we have reformed the management system for ecological environment and natural resources in recent years. We have established and implemented a series of systems, including central government ecological inspections, evaluations and accountability of ecological progress targets, river and lake chiefs, ecological protection redlines, pollutant discharge permits, and compensation for ecological damage. Over the past decade, we have formulated and revised more than 30 related laws and regulations, strongly ensuring ecological conservation with increasingly extensive institutional systems.

In terms of ecological and environmental quality, the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in cities above prefecture level in 2021 fell by 34.8% compared with 2015, and 84.9% of surface water bodies nationwide met Class I to III quality standards. Soil pollution risks have been effectively controlled. Import of foreign waste has been banned, achieving the goal of zero imports of solid waste. In addition, nature reserves now cover 18% of China's land area, and wild populations of more than 300 rare and endangered wildlife species have been restored, presenting a vivid view of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

In terms of green and low-carbon development, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP nationwide have dropped by 34.4% in the past decade, and the share of coal in primary energy consumption has declined from 68.5% to 56%. The scale of renewable energy development and utilization as well as the production and sale of new energy vehicles both rank first in the world. Last year, we launched the world's largest Carbon Emission Trade Exchange, and green development is increasingly becoming the defining feature of high-quality development.

In terms of international influence, we have made historic contributions to the conclusion, signing, entry into force and implementation of the Paris Agreement aimed at addressing climate change. We announced that we would strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Last year, we held the first phase of the 15thmeeting of the Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming and issued the Kunming Declaration. We have also actively promoted green development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China has become an important participant, contributor and leader in global ecological conservation.

Friends from the press, China has entered a new stage of development. General Secretary Xi Jinping has underscored that on the new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects, the entire Party and country must maintain and strengthen the strategic focus of ecological progress, work hard to promote green transition in all aspects of economic and social development, and strive to build a beautiful China where humanity and nature exist in harmony, so as to make greater contributions to jointly building a clean and beautiful world.

Next, the MEE will firmly follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, resolutely implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and promote pollution and carbon emissions reductions, green expansion and economic growth in a coordinated manner, so as to advance high-quality economic growth and create a high quality of life through high-level ecological protection. Last July, with the approval of the CPC Central Committee, the MEE established a research center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. We will build this center into a pacesetter for theoretical research, publicity and interpretation of the thought. We also welcome active support and participation of friends from the press in the center's work.

Finally, we hope that through practical efforts, green development will become a brighter defining feature of a beautiful China, so as to pave the way for a successful 20th CPC National Congress. Thank you.