Building beautiful China calls for wider participation

Editor's note: Wang Jinnan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and honorary director of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, spoke to Minsheng Weekly about the Beautiful China Initiative, a national development blueprint that has laid out specific targets for China's green and high-quality growth. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

The past five-year plans have paved the way for continuous improvements in the environmental quality of the country. The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period will be crucial for advancing the goal of building a beautiful China. This requires the active participation of the whole of society.

Only when the public at large develops a strong awareness of ecological and environmental issues can effective environmental protection truly take shape.

Against this backdrop, planning for environmental protection should focus on three areas.

First, scientific research should be deepened to ensure that the planning is based on scientific principles. There should be a thorough review and evaluation of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), with a careful assessment of how domestic and international developments affect the environment. The objectives of the 15th Five-Year Plan should be aligned with the long-term goal of building a beautiful China by 2035. This would ensure problem-oriented, goal-oriented and results-oriented planning.

Second, departmental coordination should be strengthened to make the planning more feasible. Environmental protection has expanded from traditional pollution control and ecological conservation to cover low-carbon development, pollution prevention, ecological safety, climate change response and ecological security. Interdepartmental cooperation must be enhanced to ensure holistic and coordinated planning that is both practical and implementable.

Third, public participation should be broadened. Consultations should be conducted with research institutions, universities, enterprises, industry associations and grassroots organizations, while also soliciting inputs from social groups and media outlets. By leveraging online consultations, surveys and other channels, policymakers can better understand public concerns and expectations, which would ensure that the 15th Five-Year Plan reflects collective wisdom and shared aspirations.

Looking ahead, ecological improvements must move from quantitative to qualitative changes. The aim is to achieve new institutional and practical innovations in green development, ecological restoration, environmental governance and eco-civilization reform.

The hallmark of a beautiful China is the overall improvement of environmental quality. The major environmental challenges, such as water, soil and air pollution, should be resolved effectively during the next five years. Indicators of air, water and soil quality should meet high standards in most parts of the country, while flagship species in protected areas should prosper.

Green and low-carbon development must be treated as the key solution to environmental challenges. During the 15th Five-Year Plan, China aims to foster green production and lifestyles, peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve a significant reduction in carbon intensity.

The modernization of environmental governance systems and capabilities is a critical pillar of the Beautiful China Initiative. To achieve this, it is essential to strengthen self-reliance in green and low-carbon technologies. During the 15th Five-Year Plan, breakthroughs in theoretical approaches, core technologies and equipment are expected, alongside the development of qualified talent teams.