Mr. Li Jun, Deputy Division Chief, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China (China)

Topic: Exploration and Practice of Building Ecological Civilization Demonstration Cities and Counties in China

The construction of eco-provinces could lay a solid foundation for ecological conservation. When working in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, President Xi Jinping took the initiative to build eco-provinces. 14 provinces (autonomous regions or municipalities) across China, including Jiangsu and Hubei, have developed the eco-provinces construction. Taking ecological and environmental quality as a basic element of the development, aim to make the balance between economic development and environmental conservation.

As part of the program to build eco-provinces, 183 cities and counties across China have lived up to the requirements for eco-cities and eco-counties. In recent years, based on the construction of eco-cities and eco-counties, we have promoted the construction of ecological civilization demonstration cities and counties, and a total of 46 cities and counties have met the relevant requirements by now.

In building ecological civilization demonstration cities and counties, we have attached importance to target-driven and balanced progress. The practices feature the following:

1 – Implementing the concept of “clear waters and green mountains are as valuable as mountains of gold and silver”.

2 – Stressing the need to align targets with the needs of China’s economic and social development.

3 – Requiring local governments to make construction plans.

4 – Emphasizing the importance of the coordinated development of urban and rural areas.

5 – Strengthening the conservation of ecological space.

6 – Clarifying local officials’ responsibilities for ecological and environmental protection.

7 – Emphasizing public participation.

The building of ecological civilization demonstration cities and counties is also a practice to promote sustainable urban development and eco-cities. It is still in the process of exploration and advancement and is facing many problems. We will enhance the mutual exchange and work together to give China’s contribution, ideas and plans to global environmental governance.