Xi stresses need for green development

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called for more efforts to push green development and green lifestyles as the country seeks to better balance economic growth and environmental protection.

At a study session attended by members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Friday, Xi listed six key tasks, including speeding up the transformation of growth models and intensifying antipollution measures.

Xi said China has made historic social and economic achievements since the reform and opening-up, but rapid development has left it with environmental issues.

He said that to push green development and lifestyles, the country should use anew development philosophy and correctly handle the relationship between economic development and environmental protection.

The country, he said, should protect the environment "like one protects his eyes" and treat the environment "like one treats his life".

China should reject the development model that damages or even destroys the environment and bid farewell to practices that boost short-term economic growth at the cost of the environment, he said.

Key tasks have been listed to promote green development and lifestyles.

The country should speed up the transformation from over-reliance on resource consumption, high energy use and high emissions to innovation-driven growth.

Antipollution measures should be intensified to tackle issues such as air, water, and soil pollution. China should also accelerate ecological conservation and restoration, with priority given to protecting and naturally restoring the environment.

Resources should be used more efficiently, as excessive exploitation and consumption of natural resources are the basic reasons behind many environmental issues.

The country should strive to achieve the greatest economic and social benefits possible with minimal resources and environmental costs.

Authorities should also encourage green consumption and improve mechanisms that promote China's "ecological civilization," applying strict systems and rigorous laws to protect the environment, Xi said.

Xinhua