Speakers:
Li Ganjie, minister of ecology and environment
Huang Runqiu, vice minister of ecology and environment
Zhai Qing, vice minister of ecology and environment
Chairperson:
Tian Yuhong, person in charge of the Press Center for the Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China
Date:
Sept. 29, 2019
Tian Yuhong, person in charge of the Press Center for the Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China:
Ladies and gentlemen, journalist friends, good afternoon. Welcome to the fourth press conference held in the press center.
Ecological progress is of fundamental importance to the sustainable development of the Chinese nation. It is an important part of the overall plan to promote balanced economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress, and an important part of the coordinated implementation of the Four-pronged Comprehensive Strategy. Over the past 70 years, China has made tremendous and substantial achievements in ecological environmental protection.
Today, we are delighted to invite Mr. Li Ganjie, minister of ecology and environment, and Mr. Huang Runqiu and Mr. Zhai Qing, both vice ministers of the ministry, to attend this conference. They will tell us more about what is being done to promote ecological progress and build a beautiful China.
First, I'll give the floor to Mr. Li Ganjie.
Li Ganjie:
Thank you, sir. Journalist friends, good afternoon. It's a great pleasure for me and my colleagues—Mr. Huang Runqiu and Mr. Zhai Qing, both vice ministers of ecology and environment — to introduce the work we are doing to promote ecological progress and build a beautiful China. We'd like to share our views with you.
Since the People's Republic of China was founded 70 years ago, China's environmental protection has achieved historic achievements. In particular, after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has formulated a series of fundamental, far-sighted and pioneering plans. These have resulted in historic, fundamental and overall changes in the implementation and understanding of the works related to environmental protection and ecological progress.
To be more specific, there have been changes in the following seven aspects.
First, greater efforts have been made to devise strategic plans. In the past 70 years, environmental protection has been regarded as a fundamental national policy, and sustainable development has become a national strategy. Great efforts have been made to build a resource-conserving and environmentally-friendly society. The strategic position of ecological protection has been raised continuously. In particular, after the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi Jinping's thinking on promoting ecological progress has been established. Ecological progress was included into the country's Constitution and the CPC Constitution. Unprecedented emphasis has been given to ecological progress.
Second, greater efforts have been made to better treat pollution. Over the past 70 years, we have never stopped innovating, opening new fronts and making dedicated efforts to treat pollution. After the 18th CPC National Congress, we declared war against pollution. Three action plans, each containing 10 articles, were announced to treat the pollution of air, water and soil respectively. Since then, our ecological system has constantly improved.
Third, steady progress has been made in environmental protection. In the past 70 years, we have given equal emphasis to environmental protection and pollution treatment. After the 18th CPC National Congress, we carried out the project to protect and restore the mountain, water, forest, farmland, lake, and grassland ecosystems. We have also promoted the development of protected areas, especially national parks, and identified ecological red lines, which are also known as "conservation red lines." Our home has become increasingly beautiful.
Fourth, various systems have been improved. In the past 70 years, we have insisted on protecting the environment through various systems. After the 18th CPC National Congress, we accelerated our efforts to formulate the overall plan for ecological progress and establish related systems. A batch of systems and measures has been launched. They include the accountability system for environmental damage, the emissions permit system, the river chief and lake chief systems, and the measure to block illegal waste imports. We have made a marked improvement in the ecological environment.
Fifth, reform of various systems has been deepened. The State Council Leading Group of Environmental Protection was set up in 1974, the Ministry of Environmental Protection was established in 2008, and finally the Ministry of Ecology and Environment was established in March 2018. In so doing, we have become the only oversight agency to monitor pollutant discharge in urban and rural areas and take enforcement actions whenever and wherever necessary. Our role in environmental protection has been improved and consolidated.
Sixth, law enforcement has been increasingly strict. In the past 70 years, a system of laws, with the Environmental Protection Law being the most important one, has been established. After the 18th CPC National Congress, nine laws related to environmental protection and more than 20 administrative rules were formulated. The new Environmental Protection Law, widely recognized as the strictest-ever version, took effect in 2015. In the first round of environmental inspections by the central authorities and in follow-up inspections, more than 150,000 environmental protection problems concerning common people were solved.
Seventh, we have continuously expanded the scope of international cooperation. In the past 70 years, the Chinese government approved the implementation of more than 30 multilateral conventions and protocols in relation to the environment and ecology. After the 18th CPC National Congress, China played an active role in global environmental protection. We were among the first to release the National Plan on Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We have also taken a leading role in global climate change negotiations.
In the next stage, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will continue to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and further implement Xi Jinping's thinking on promoting ecological progress. We will remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind. We will conscientiously shoulder the political responsibility of promoting ecological progress, and pass the CPC's best traditions down to the next generation. All our efforts are dedicated to making a constant improvement in the country's environment.
Next, we're ready to take your questions. Thank you.
Tian Yuhong:
Thank you, Mr. Li. Let's move to the Q&A session. Please identify yourself before asking your question.
