Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Comprehensively Advancing the Building of a Beautiful China

(December 27, 2023)

Building a Beautiful China is an important goal in the comprehensive effort to build a modern socialist country and a key component of realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. To advance the construction of a Beautiful China in all respects and accelerate the modernization of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, the following guidelines are hereby put forward.

I. The New Era and New Journey Usher in a New Chapter of Comprehensively Advancing the Building of a Beautiful China

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has placed ecological progress at the forefront of its overall work, strengthening environmental protection across all dimensions, regions, and stages. This has brought about a major transformation: from targeted remediation to systemic governance; from reactive responses to proactive action; from being a participant in global environmental governance to becoming a leader; and from experimental practice to guidance by scientific theory. As a result, significant strides have been made in building a Beautiful China.

At present, China’s economic and social development has entered a stage of high-quality growth characterized by accelerated green and low-carbon transformation. However, ecological progress remains at a critical juncture—under mounting pressures and heavy burdens—with structural, root‑cause, and systemic environmental challenges still far from being fundamentally alleviated. The endogenous momentum for a green transition in economic and social development remains insufficient, the foundation for steady yet improving ecological and environmental quality is not yet solid, and the trend of ecosystem degradation in some regions has yet to be fundamentally reversed. Thus, the task of building a Beautiful China remains arduous. On this new journey, we must place the construction of a Beautiful China at the forefront of national rejuvenation and the pursuit of national strength, maintain strategic resolve in strengthening ecological civilization, unswervingly follow the path of civilizational development that balances productive growth, prosperous living standards, and a sound ecological environment, and build a beautiful homeland with blue skies, green lands, and clear waters.

II. General Requirements

To comprehensively advance the building of a Beautiful China, we must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era—particularly Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization—as our guiding principle; thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China; and carry out the tasks set forth at the National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection. We must firmly establish and put into practice the philosophy that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, properly balance high-quality development with high-level protection, prioritize key challenges with coordinated governance, integrate natural restoration with artificial rehabilitation, reconcile external constraints with endogenous momentum, and align the “dual carbon” commitments with independent action. We will coordinate industrial restructuring, pollution control, ecological conservation, and climate change response, synergistically advancing carbon reduction, pollution mitigation, green expansion, and economic growth, while safeguarding national ecological security and strengthening institutional frameworks for ecological civilization. By leveraging a high‑quality ecological environment to underpin high‑quality development, we will accelerate the establishment of a new paradigm for building a Beautiful China, one oriented toward modernization characterized by harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, thereby solidifying the ecological foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The main objectives are: by 2027, green and low‑carbon development will be further advanced; total emissions of major pollutants will continue to decline; ecological and environmental quality will keep improving; the pattern of land‑space development and protection will be optimized; ecosystem services will be steadily enhanced; the living environment in both urban and rural areas will see marked improvement; national ecological security will be effectively safeguarded; the ecological and environmental governance system will be further improved; a number of exemplary practices will be established; and significant progress will be made in building a Beautiful China. By 2035, green production and lifestyles will be widely adopted; carbon emissions will peak and then steadily decline; the ecological environment will undergo a fundamental improvement; a new pattern of land‑space development and protection will be fully in place; the diversity, stability, and resilience of ecosystems will be significantly enhanced; national ecological security will be further consolidated; modernization of the ecological and environmental governance system and governance capacity will be largely achieved; and the goal of a Beautiful China will be essentially realized. Looking ahead to the middle of this century, ecological civilization will be comprehensively elevated; green modes of development and lifestyles will be fully established; deep decarbonization will be achieved in key sectors; the ecological environment will be healthy and beautiful; and the modernization of the ecological and environmental governance system and governance capacity will be fully realized, with a Beautiful China fully built.

With the goal of building a Beautiful China firmly in mind, we will adhere to precise, science-based, and law-based pollution control. In response to the new demands of high-quality economic and social development and the public’s growing expectations for improvements in the ecological environment, we will intensify efforts to address pressing environmental issues in a targeted manner, accelerating the transition of ecological and environmental quality from quantitative improvement to qualitative transformation. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we will press ahead with decisive action to achieve sustained progress in environmental quality; during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we will consolidate and expand these gains to realize comprehensive improvements; and by the 16th Five-Year Plan period, we will achieve a fundamental turnaround in the ecological environment. We must remain steadfast in:

— Transformation across all sectors. Vigorously promote the greening and decarbonization of economic and social development, accelerate the green and low‑carbon transition in energy, industry, transportation, urban–rural development, agriculture, and other key areas, strengthen innovation in green technologies, and bolster the endogenous momentum and innovative vitality of building a Beautiful China.

— Comprehensive enhancement. Upholding integrated planning of production factors and urban–rural integration, we will carry out the “Beautiful Series” initiatives in a coordinated manner, with a focus on building a clean blue sky, beautiful rivers and lakes, pristine bays, and picturesque mountains and landscapes. We will forge pioneering zones for a Beautiful China, develop model cities and villages, and paint a new, vibrant picture of a Beautiful China where each region shines in its own way and all share in its collective beauty.

— Comprehensive, region-wide development. Tailoring approaches to local conditions and advancing in a phased, coordinated manner, we will ensure that the vision of a Beautiful China extends across the entire country, showcasing the majestic splendor of the western regions, the vibrant grandeur of the northeast, the picturesque landscapes of central China, and the harmonious charm of the eastern areas, thereby forging distinct, multifaceted pillars for building a Beautiful China.

— Nationwide action. Transform the vision of building a Beautiful China into a conscious, collective endeavor, encouraging grassroots entities such as industrial parks, enterprises, communities, and schools to spearhead green, clean, and zero‑carbon initiatives, thereby fostering a positive social climate in which everyone participates and shares the benefits.

III. Accelerating the Green Transformation of Development Models

(1) Optimize the pattern of land‑space development and conservation. Improve the system of functional zones, refine the land‑space planning framework, and coordinate and optimize spatial layouts for agriculture, ecology, urban areas, and other sectors. Uphold the ecological protection red line, strengthen law enforcement, oversight, and restoration efforts, and ensure that the national area under ecological protection remains above 3.15 million square kilometers. Firmly safeguard the 1.8 billion mu of arable land, ensuring that the amount of arable land available for long-term, stable use does not decline. Strictly regulate urban development boundaries, promoting intensive, green, and quality‑oriented urban development. Implement rigorous spatial management of river and lake shorelines. Enhance land‑space governance of marine and coastal areas, establish mechanisms for phasing out inefficient marine uses, and, except for major national projects, refrain from any new land reclamation. Further improve the comprehensive, regionally differentiated ecological and environmental management system, providing clear “bottom lines” and well‑defined “boundaries” for development. By 2035, the proportion of natural shorelines on the mainland will be no less than 35%, and the ecological functions of the ecological protection red line will remain intact, with its nature unchanged.

(II) Actively yet prudently advance carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Implement the carbon‑peaking initiative in a planned, phased manner, striving to reach peak carbon emissions before 2030 and laying the groundwork for endeavoring to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Adhere to the principle of establishing new systems before dismantling old ones, accelerate the planning and development of a new energy system, and ensure energy security. Focus on curbing consumption of coal and other fossil fuels, enhance the clean and efficient use of coal, vigorously develop non‑fossil energy sources, and expedite the construction of a new‑type power system. Launch pilot programs for synergistic innovation in pollution reduction and carbon mitigation across multiple sectors and at various levels. Gradually shift from dual control over energy consumption to dual control over both the total volume and intensity of carbon emissions, while strengthening the institutional framework and foundational capacity for dual carbon‑emission control. Compile the national greenhouse gas inventory annually. Implement an action plan for methane emission control and study and formulate action plans for controlling emissions of other non‑carbon‑dioxide greenhouse gases. Further develop the national carbon market, steadily expand sectoral coverage, diversify trading products and mechanisms, and build and refine a nationwide voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading market. By 2035, increase the share of non‑fossil energy in total energy consumption, and establish a carbon market that is more effective, more dynamic, and more internationally influential.

(3) Coordinated advancement of green and low‑carbon development in key sectors. Promote the deep integration of industrial digitalization, intelligentization, and greening; accelerate the building of a modern industrial system underpinned by the real economy; and vigorously develop strategic emerging industries, high‑tech industries, green and environmentally friendly industries, and modern services. Strictly control market access, resolutely curb the reckless launch of high‑energy‑consumption, high‑emission, and low‑level projects. Vigorously push forward the upgrading of processes, technologies, and equipment in traditional industries to achieve a green and low‑carbon transformation, and implement initiatives to enhance clean production standards. Speed up energy‑saving and carbon‑reduction upgrades of existing buildings and municipal infrastructure, and promote the large‑scale development of ultra‑low‑energy and low‑carbon buildings. Substantially advance the shift of freight transport from road to rail and from road to water; accelerate the construction of dedicated railway lines; and raise the level of clean transportation for bulk commodities. Carry out green transformations of railway yards, civil airports, port terminals, logistics parks, and other facilities, and upgrade railway electrification; promote the large‑scale adoption of ultra‑low‑ and near‑zero‑emission vehicles and the clean, low‑carbon use of non‑road mobile machinery. By 2027, strive to increase the share of new‑energy vehicles among newly registered cars to 45%, phase out most aging internal‑combustion locomotives, and maintain robust growth in intermodal container transport by rail and water; by 2035, aim for railway freight turnover to account for approximately 25% of total freight turnover.

(4) Promote the economical and intensive use of all types of resources. Implement a comprehensive conservation strategy, advancing energy, water, land, material, and mineral savings. Continuously deepen energy conservation in key sectors and strengthen energy management for new‑type infrastructure. Deeply implement the National Water Conservation Initiative, reinforce dual controls over total water consumption and water intensity, improve water-use efficiency in priority industries and products, actively promote the resource‑based utilization of wastewater, and enhance the allocation and utilization of non‑conventional water sources. Improve the system for the economical and intensive use of land, and widely disseminate land‑saving technologies and models. Establish a green manufacturing and service system. Launch initiatives to enhance the quality and efficiency of comprehensive resource utilization. Accelerate the development of a waste‑recycling system, fostering the circular use of end‑of‑life wind turbine blades, photovoltaic modules, power batteries, express delivery packaging, and other waste streams. Advance raw‑material conservation and resource recycling, and vigorously develop the remanufacturing industry. Comprehensively promote the construction of green mines. By 2035, energy and water‑use efficiency will reach internationally advanced levels.

IV. Continuously and Deeply Advance the Tough Battle Against Pollution

(5) Continue to wage a sustained and in-depth battle to protect blue skies. Focusing on key regions such as the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei area and its surrounding regions, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Fenwei Plain, and taking fine particulate matter control as the central task, we will vigorously advance the coordinated reduction of multiple pollutants. We will strengthen comprehensive management of volatile organic compounds and implement source‑substitution projects. We will promote, at high quality, ultra‑low‑emission upgrades in priority sectors—including steel, cement, and coking—as well as in coal‑fired boilers. Tailored measures, such as switching to clean energy and centralized heating, will be adopted to suit local conditions, while efforts to control pollution from loose coal, coal‑fired boilers, and industrial kilns and furnaces will continue. In key regions, total coal consumption will remain under strict control. We will develop the next phase of vehicle emission standards, conduct research on new‑generation fuel quality standards, and reinforce inter‑agency joint supervision and law enforcement. Regional joint prevention and control will be strengthened, and performance‑based grading for key industries during periods of severe pollution will be further refined. Noise‑pollution prevention and control initiatives will be continuously implemented. Priority will be given to addressing odors and cooking‑oil fumes. Environmental management of ozone‑depleting substances and hydrofluorocarbons will be enhanced. By 2027, the national average concentration of fine particulate matter will be reduced to below 28 micrograms per cubic meter, with cities at or above the prefecture level striving to meet this standard; by 2035, the national PM2.5 concentration will fall to below 25 micrograms per cubic meter, ensuring consistently fresh air and perpetually blue skies.

(6) Continue to wage a sustained and in-depth battle to safeguard clean waters. Integrate the governance of water resources, water environment, and aquatic ecosystems; deepen efforts to protect and manage major rivers such as the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, as well as key lakes; and optimize and adjust the delineation of water functional zones and related management systems. Solidly advance the standardized development of source areas and the construction of backup water sources. Basically complete the identification and remediation of discharge outlets into rivers and the sea, and fully establish a monitoring and regulatory system for these outlets. Implement performance‑based classification of wastewater treatment and discharge standards for key industries and enterprises. Accelerate efforts to address shortcomings in urban sewage collection and treatment infrastructure, build model zones achieving full coverage of urban sewage networks, strengthen the harmless treatment and resource utilization of sludge, and develop benchmark green and low‑carbon wastewater treatment plants. Tailor measures to local conditions to control endogenous pollution and restore ecosystems, essentially eliminating black and odorous water bodies in both urban and rural areas while establishing long‑term mechanisms. Establish an aquatic ecosystem assessment framework, reinforce the protection and restoration of water source conservation areas and ecological buffer zones, strengthen unified water resource allocation, and ensure ecological flow requirements for rivers and lakes. Uphold integrated land–sea planning and coordinated river–sea management, and continue to promote comprehensive governance of priority marine areas. Taking bays as basic units, adopt a “one bay, one plan” approach to jointly advance pollution prevention, ecological protection and restoration, and shoreline and beach environmental improvement, continuously enhancing the quality and stability of important marine ecosystems such as mangrove forests. Strengthen environmental management of mariculture. Actively respond to ecological disasters such as cyanobacterial blooms, red tides, and green tides. Promote the removal of floating debris from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, and the management of marine litter. By 2027, the proportions of surface water and nearshore marine waters meeting good or excellent quality standards will reach approximately 90% and 83%, respectively, and the completion rate of beautiful rivers, lakes, and bays will be around 40%; by 2035, “harmony between humans and water” in beautiful rivers, lakes, and bays will be largely achieved.

(7) Continue to wage a sustained and in-depth battle to safeguard clean land. Launch initiatives to prevent and control soil pollution at its source, rigorously curb the emergence of new contamination, and gradually address longstanding, severe soil and groundwater pollution. Strengthen protection of priority‑protected farmland, steadily advance the safe use and risk management of contaminated farmland, and progressively achieve full coverage of source‑tracing and remediation for heavy‑metal contamination in agricultural soils. In accordance with the law, enhance coordinated oversight of changes in land use and risk management of contaminated sites, and promote risk management and remediation of large‑scale polluted areas. Conduct comprehensive environmental monitoring of soil and groundwater surrounding key units subject to regulatory oversight, and carry out, as appropriate, the second nationwide survey of soil pollution conditions. Undertake a national investigation and assessment of groundwater pollution, reinforce environmental protection of groundwater‑based drinking water sources, and strictly control environmental risks in priority areas for groundwater pollution prevention and control. Wage an all‑out campaign to tackle pollution in agriculture and rural areas. By 2027, ensure that the safe utilization rate of contaminated farmland reaches at least 94% and that the safe use of construction land is effectively guaranteed; by 2035, raise the proportion of Class I–IV water quality at nationally monitored groundwater sites to over 80%, and achieve comprehensive control of soil environmental risks.

(8) Strengthen the management of solid waste and emerging pollutants. Accelerate the development of “zero-waste cities,” continue to advance initiatives for addressing emerging pollutants, and work toward achieving zero waste in both urban and rural areas while safeguarding environmental health. Enhance comprehensive governance of solid waste, curb excessive product packaging, and implement end-to-end measures to tackle plastic pollution. Deepen efforts to comprehensively ban the import of “foreign waste,” rigorously preventing all forms of illicit solid‑waste smuggling and disguised imports. Strengthen oversight of hazardous waste and bolster its capacity for utilization and disposal, with a particular focus on addressing tailings‑pond contamination in key regions such as the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yellow River Basin. Develop regulations for the environmental risk management of toxic and harmful chemical substances. By 2027, the proportion of cities undertaking “zero-waste city” initiatives will reach 60%, and the intensity of solid‑waste generation will have declined significantly; by 2035, “zero-waste city” construction will achieve full coverage, with eastern provinces taking the lead in establishing “zero-waste cities” across their entire territories, and environmental risks posed by emerging pollutants will be effectively controlled.

V. Enhancing the Biodiversity, Stability, and Sustainability of Ecosystems

(9) Strengthen the natural ecological barrier. Consolidate the national ecological security barrier and advance the protection and development of key national ecological function zones and important ecological corridors. Comprehensively promote the establishment of a nature reserve system centered on national parks, and complete the integration and optimization of nature reserves nationwide. Implement a nationwide monitoring, assessment, and early-warning program for natural ecological resources. Enhance the institutional framework for oversight of ecological conservation and restoration, and strengthen unified regulatory mechanisms. Rigorously regulate owners, developers, and even regulators alike, promptly detect and address all forms of ecological damage, and resolutely prevent formalism in ecological restoration efforts. Intensify monitoring and evaluation of ecological conditions, and conduct assessments of the effectiveness of ecological conservation and restoration. Continuously advance the “Green Shield” initiative to reinforce supervision of nature reserves, and establish a mechanism for overseeing ecological damage within ecological red-line areas. By 2035, the national park system will be largely in place, the ecosystem structure will be more stable, and the country’s landscapes will radiate vibrant vitality.

(10) Implement integrated protection and systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands, and deserts. Accelerate the implementation of major projects for the protection and restoration of key ecosystems, and promote the sustainable regeneration of grasslands, forests, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Continue to carry out integrated conservation and restoration initiatives for mountains, rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grasslands, and deserts. Launch large-scale national greening campaigns in a scientifically sound manner, strengthen the protection and restoration of grasslands and wetlands, intensify comprehensive measures to address desertification, stony desertification, and soil and water loss, fully implement sustainable forest management, and enhance forest and grassland fire prevention and control. Focusing on sand source areas and transport pathways that affect key regions such as Beijing, we will continue to advance the “Three-North” Shelterbelt Project and the Beijing–Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control Program, and wage all-out efforts to win three landmark battles. We will also promote initiatives to consolidate and enhance the carbon sink capacity of ecosystems. By 2035, the national forest coverage rate will increase to 26%, the soil and water conservation rate will rise to 75%, and ecosystems will have essentially achieved a virtuous cycle.

(11) Strengthen biodiversity conservation. Enhance the coordinating role of the mechanism for aligning and overseeing biodiversity conservation efforts, implement the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, update China’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan, and carry out major biodiversity conservation projects. Improve the national biodiversity conservation network, ensure comprehensive protection of wild flora and fauna, and gradually establish a national system of botanical gardens. Deepen initiatives to rescue rare and endangered species in the Yangtze River, and continue to rigorously enforce the ten-year fishing ban on the river. Fully implement the seasonal marine fishing moratorium and develop modern marine ranches. By 2035, the area of terrestrial nature reserves will account for no less than 18% of the country’s total land area, and typical ecosystems, nationally key protected wild flora and fauna, and their habitats will be comprehensively safeguarded.

VI. Upholding the Safety Bottom Line in Building a Beautiful China

(12) Strengthen the national ecological security system. Implement the holistic approach to national security, improve the coordination mechanism for national ecological security, and enhance collaboration with sectors such as economic security and resource security. Further refine the legal, strategic, policy, and response‑management frameworks for national ecological security, bolstering capabilities in risk assessment and evaluation, monitoring and early warning, emergency response, and incident management, thereby establishing a comprehensive, multi‑dimensional, and highly efficient national ecological security defense system.

(13) Ensure nuclear and radiation safety. Strengthen the coordinating role of the national nuclear safety coordination mechanism, establish a robust nuclear safety accountability framework, comprehensively enhance nuclear safety regulatory capabilities, and build a modern nuclear safety regulatory system that is commensurate with the development of China’s nuclear industry, thereby promoting high-quality progress in nuclear safety. Reinforce safety management for first-of-a-kind and new reactors; conduct regular safety assessments of operating facilities and implement continuous improvements; accelerate the decommissioning and remediation of aging facilities and the treatment and disposal of historically accumulated radioactive waste; and strengthen safety management of nuclear technology applications and environmental management of electromagnetic radiation. Enhance marine radiation monitoring and research in waters under China’s jurisdiction, and improve risk‑based early warning, monitoring, and emergency response capacities. Uphold independent innovation and safe development, and intensify research and development of critical and foundational technologies in the field of nuclear safety, as well as the advancement of intelligent safety management.

(14) Strengthen biosafety management. Enhance the detection, identification, assessment, and monitoring of environmental risks associated with biotechnology and its products. Reinforce end-to-end prevention and control measures and systemic governance, and improve the biosafety regulatory early-warning and prevention system. Intensify the control of harmful organisms. Conduct surveys, monitoring, and early warning for invasive alien species, carry out impact assessments, and strengthen quarantine inspections of imported animals and plants as well as the prevention and control of invasive alien species. Improve the system for the conservation and utilization of genetic resources, and strengthen the protection and management of biological genetic resources.

(15) Effectively address the adverse impacts and risks of climate change. Uphold a balanced approach that emphasizes both mitigation and adaptation, and substantially enhance our capacity to adapt to climate change. Strengthen the development of climate‑change observation networks, and reinforce monitoring, forecasting, early warning systems, and impact‑risk assessments. Continuously improve climate resilience in sectors such as agriculture, health, and public health, and bolster climate risk management for infrastructure and major projects. Deepen the development of climate‑adapted cities, advance sponge‑city initiatives, and intensify region‑specific actions to adapt to climate change. By 2035, a climate‑adapted society will be essentially in place.

(16) Strengthen the prevention and control of environmental risks. Adhere to a preventive approach and enhance the routine management of environmental risks. Improve the national environmental emergency response system and mechanisms, refine an accountability framework characterized by tiered responsibility, local leadership, and inter‑departmental coordination, and bolster emergency response linkages across upstream–downstream sectors and between regions. Intensify the identification of environmental hazards and the implementation of risk‑mitigation measures in key areas such as hazardous waste, tailings ponds, and heavy metals, as well as in jurisdictional maritime zones and border regions. Launch a series of projects to build foundational environmental emergency response capabilities, establish and improve emergency response and emergency supplies reserve systems, elevate the level of information‑based command and control for environmental emergencies, and ensure the timely, appropriate, and scientifically sound handling of all types of sudden environmental incidents. Further develop systems for environmental health monitoring, investigation, and risk assessment.

VII. Building a Model for the Construction of a Beautiful China

(17) Build pilot zones for a Beautiful China. Focusing on the regional coordinated development strategy and major regional strategies, strengthen cooperation on green development and create high‑level hubs for sustainable growth. Improve the mechanism for coordinated ecological and environmental protection in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, accelerate the establishment of demonstration zones for ecological restoration and improvement, and promote the Xiongan New Area as a model for green urban development. In the thorough implementation of the Yangtze Economic Belt development strategy, uphold the principle of joint efforts to ensure comprehensive protection, and build a demonstration corridor for green development that fosters harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. Deepen the alignment of rules and the coordination of mechanisms in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area in the field of ecological and environmental governance, and jointly forge a world‑class, beautiful bay area. Further advance joint conservation, collaborative management, and institutional innovation in the Yangtze River Delta, and build the region into a high‑standard model of beauty. Adhere to the principle of determining urban planning, land use, population size, and industrial development based on water resources, and establish a pilot zone for ecological protection and high‑quality development in the Yellow River Basin. Deepen the construction of national ecological civilization pilot zones. Each region, grounded in its own functional positioning and leveraging its unique strengths, will write its own provincial chapter in the endeavor to build a Beautiful China.

(18) Building Beautiful Cities. Upholding the principle that cities are built by the people and for the people, we will advance the development of beautiful cities guided by green and low‑carbon practices, a pleasant environment, ecological livability, safety and health, and smart, efficient governance. We will elevate the standards of urban planning, construction, and governance, implement urban renewal initiatives, and strengthen intercity and rural–urban cooperation in ecological conservation and environmental co‑governance. We will accelerate the transformation of development models in megacities and super‑large cities, enhance the effectiveness of ecological and environmental governance in large and medium-sized cities, upgrade and expand environmental infrastructure in small and medium-sized cities and county seats, and ensure that public environmental services are commensurate with population size and economic scale. We will also conduct assessments of urban ecological and environmental governance.

(19) Build beautiful countryside. Drawing on the experience of Zhejiang’s “Ten‑Million Project,” tailor approaches to local conditions and coordinate efforts to revitalize rural ecology and improve the rural living environment. Accelerate the integrated innovation and widespread application of technologies that reduce input use while enhancing efficiency, strengthen the resource‑based utilization of agricultural waste and the categorized management of used agricultural film, and focus on systematic governance in areas where non‑point source pollution is particularly severe. Solidly advance the rural toilet revolution, and effectively address domestic wastewater, solid waste, and black‑odorous water bodies in rural areas. Establish a monitoring and evaluation system for the rural ecological environment. Promote rural greening and beautification in a scientifically sound manner, and enhance the protection and sustainable use of traditional villages while guiding the development of distinctive rural landscapes. By 2027, the proportion of counties with fully developed beautiful countryside will reach 40%; by 2035, beautiful countryside will be largely in place.

(20) Launch innovation-driven demonstration projects. Adopt tailored strategies to advance the development of beautiful cities, implement initiatives to establish model counties for rural beauty, and continue to promote exemplary cases of beautiful rivers and lakes and beautiful bays. Integrate the building of a Beautiful China into grassroots governance innovation. Deeply advance the construction of ecological civilization demonstration zones, and promote the establishment of practice‑innovation bases that embody the principle that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” Encourage green innovation within free trade pilot zones. Support practical innovations in planning and policies for building a Beautiful China.

VIII. Launching a Nationwide Campaign for Building a Beautiful China

(21) Foster and promote ecological culture. Improve the ecological cultural system guided by ecological values, cultivate mainstream values of ecological civilization, and accelerate the development of nationwide ecological awareness. Tap into the rich traditions and resources of China’s outstanding ecological heritage, produce a number of high‑quality works of ecological literature, and advance the flourishing of ecological culture. Make full use of museums, exhibition halls, science and education centers, and other venues to publicize the vivid practices of building a Beautiful China.

(22) Promote a green and low-carbon lifestyle. Advocate for a simple, moderate, green, low-carbon, civilized, and healthy way of life and consumption. Develop green tourism. Continuously advance the “Clean Plate Campaign” and resolutely curb food waste in the catering sector. Encourage green travel, promote the construction of urban greenway networks, and deepen the implementation of a strategy prioritizing public transportation in cities. Carry out the Patriotic Health Campaign in depth. Enhance the management of waste sorting and achieve full coverage of waste sorting in residential communities in prefecture-level and above cities. Establish a standards, certification, and labeling system for green and low-carbon products, and explore mechanisms for public participation, such as a “carbon inclusive” framework.

(23) Establish a multi‑stakeholder participation framework. Continuously carry out the “Beautiful China: I Am an Actor” series of activities. Fully leverage the bridging and linking roles of industry associations and chambers of commerce, as well as the broad mobilization capacities of mass organizations; improve mechanisms for public oversight and feedback on ecological and environmental issues; and advance the development of a volunteer service system for ecological and environmental protection. Deepen the opening of environmental protection facilities to the public, providing education and outreach services on ecological civilization.

IX. Improving the Support System for Building a Beautiful China

(24) Reform and improve institutional mechanisms. Deepen reform of the ecological civilization system, advancing integrated institutional frameworks and innovative mechanisms in a coordinated manner. Strengthen legal safeguards for building a Beautiful China by promoting the formulation and revision of relevant laws in areas such as ecology, environment, resources, and energy; advance the compilation of an ecological and environmental code; refine public-interest litigation; enhance judicial protection in the ecological and environmental sphere; and coordinate efforts to implement compensation for ecological and environmental damage. Enhance coordination and cooperation between administrative law enforcement and the judiciary, reinforcing seamless links and joint efforts in information sharing, situation analysis, evidence collection, dispute resolution, and ecological restoration. Establish a comprehensive governance framework spanning from mountain tops to marine environments, and implement the strictest possible systems for ecological and environmental management. Improve the source‑prevention management system for environmental impact assessments, fully enforce the pollutant discharge permitting regime, and accelerate the development of an environmental credit‑based regulatory system. Deepen reform of the system for legally mandated disclosure of environmental information, and explore the introduction of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) assessments. Refine the institutional framework for managing natural resource assets and strengthen the system of land‑use zoning and control. Reinforce the river‑and‑lake chief system and the forest‑chief system. Further advance off‑duty audits of natural resource assets for leading cadres, ensuring that those who make reckless decisions disregarding the ecological environment and cause serious consequences are held strictly accountable—according to regulations, discipline, and law—and subject to lifelong accountability. Strengthen national oversight of natural resources. Fully leverage the functions and roles of ecological and environmental authorities, enhancing integrated coordination and effective supervision of ecological and environmental matters. Deepen reform of the vertically managed system for monitoring, inspection, and law enforcement at ecological and environmental agencies below the provincial level. Implement a professional training program for ecological and environmental teams at the city and county levels. Accelerate the formulation and revision of standards and specifications in key areas of Beautiful China construction, conduct research on environmental benchmarks, revise standards such as ambient air quality as appropriate, and encourage the promulgation of local regulations and standards.

(25) Strengthen incentive policies. Improve the market-based allocation system for resource and environmental factors, integrating carbon emission rights, energy-use rights, water-use rights, and pollutant-discharge rights into the overarching framework of factor‑market reform. Enhance tax‑policy support by rigorously enforcing the Environmental Protection Tax Law, refining the collection mechanism, and expediting the inclusion of volatile organic compounds within its scope. Strengthen the application of clean‑production audits and the outcomes of evaluation and certification. Taking into account enterprises’ energy consumption and environmental performance, further refine the tiered electricity pricing system for high‑energy‑intensive industries. Implement wastewater‑treatment fee policies, establishing a charging mechanism that covers both wastewater treatment and sludge‑disposal costs while ensuring reasonable profitability. Improve economic incentive policies oriented toward green agricultural development, supporting reductions in fertilizer and pesticide use coupled with efficiency gains, and promoting county‑wide initiatives for the collection, treatment, and utilization of livestock and poultry manure. Establish a system for enterprises to allocate and utilize funds earmarked for ecological and environmental protection. Enhance mechanisms for realizing the value of ecological products, advancing innovation in eco‑environmentally‑oriented development and investment‑financing models. Promote comprehensive ecological compensation and deepen the development of horizontal ecological‑protection compensation mechanisms. Strengthen fiscal support for building a Beautiful China, optimizing the allocation of fiscal resources in the field of ecological civilization, and ensuring that funding levels are commensurate with the scale of construction tasks. Vigorously develop green finance, supporting eligible enterprises in issuing green bonds, guiding financial institutions and social capital to increase investment, exploring regionally tailored financial support models for environmental‑protection projects, and steadily advancing climate‑related investment‑financing innovations to provide financing for the construction of a Beautiful China.

(26) Strengthen science and technology support. Promote self-reliance and self-strengthening in green and low-carbon technologies, innovate institutional mechanisms for ecological and environmental science and technology, and establish a market‑oriented system for green technological innovation. Prioritize pollution reduction and carbon mitigation, synergistic abatement of multiple pollutants, climate change response, biodiversity conservation, management of emerging contaminants, and nuclear safety as key areas for national basic research and scientific and technological innovation, and intensify efforts to tackle critical core technologies. Deepen industry–university–research collaboration led by enterprises, guide enterprises, universities, and research institutions to jointly establish a number of green and low‑carbon industrial innovation centers, and expand the supply of high‑efficiency, environmentally friendly technologies, equipment, and products. Launch major initiatives for ecological and environmental science and technology innovation, advance the “Science and Technology Innovation 2030 – Comprehensive Environmental Governance in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region” major project, and build large‑scale scientific facilities, key laboratories, engineering technology centers, and scientific observation and research stations as innovation platforms in the ecological and environmental field. Strengthen the development of think tanks in the field of ecological civilization. Support universities and research institutions in bolstering their environmental disciplines. Implement a program to cultivate high‑level ecological and environmental science and technology talent, fostering a team of highly qualified professionals in this field.

(27) Accelerate digital empowerment. Deepen the application of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to establish a digital governance system for a Beautiful China and build a green, smart digital ecological civilization. Implement an informationization project for the ecological environment, strengthening the integration and sharing of data resources as well as their comprehensive development and utilization. Expedite the establishment of a modern ecological and environmental monitoring system, improve the integrated sky–land–sea monitoring network, enhance ecological quality supervision and monitoring, and advance the research and development of satellite payloads for environmental applications. Strengthen capacity-building in monitoring greenhouse gases, groundwater, emerging pollutants, noise, marine environments, radiation, and rural environments, achieving full coverage of coordinated monitoring for carbon reduction, pollution control, and green expansion. Elevate the level of forecasting and early warning for ecological and environmental quality. Launch a national environmental compliance initiative, adopt tiered law enforcement and regulatory approaches for pollutant-discharging entities, vigorously promote non‑on-site enforcement, and accelerate the formation of an intelligent law enforcement framework.

(28) Implement major projects. Accelerate the rollout of initiatives that synergistically reduce pollution and carbon emissions, supporting the low‑carbon transformation of the energy mix, the clean‑up of mobile sources, the greening of key industries, and the circular‑economy transition of industrial parks. Expedite environmental quality‑improvement projects, backing pollution reduction in priority sectors, comprehensive management of major rivers, lakes, and bays, source‑control measures for soil contamination, environmental risk prevention for hazardous waste, and the governance of emerging pollutants. Speed up ecological protection and restoration efforts, underpinning biodiversity conservation, sand‑control and desertification‑prevention in critical areas, and integrated prevention and control of soil and water loss. Accelerate the construction of modern ecological and environmental infrastructure, supporting urban–rural and industrial‑park environmental facilities, smart ecological‑environmental sensing and monitoring, law enforcement and emergency response systems, as well as nuclear and radiation safety oversight.

(29) Jointly advance global ecological civilization. Upholding the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, we will work together to build a clean and beautiful world. Adhering to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, we will promote the establishment of a global environmental and climate governance system that is fair, equitable, and based on win-win cooperation. We will deepen international cooperation in areas such as climate change response, biodiversity conservation, marine pollution control, and nuclear safety. We will continue to advance green development under the Belt and Road Initiative.

X. Strengthen the Party’s Overall Leadership

(30) Strengthen organizational leadership. Uphold and reinforce the Party’s overall leadership over the building of a Beautiful China, and improve the working mechanism featuring central coordination, provincial-level overall responsibility, and implementation at the city and county levels. Fully leverage the coordinating, guiding, and supervisory roles of the Leading Group for Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection, refine working mechanisms, and enhance organization and implementation. Study and formulate regulations on ecological and environmental protection inspection. Deepen the central ecological and environmental protection inspection, making progress in building a Beautiful China a key focus of such inspections. Continue to produce and broadcast cautionary films on ecological and environmental issues. Develop provisions on the accountability system for local Party and government leaders regarding ecological and environmental protection, establishing a comprehensive accountability framework that ensures alignment of powers and responsibilities, clear rewards and punishments, and seamless linkage among all levels. All regions and departments must treat the building of a Beautiful China as a major task of overarching importance, implement the principle of “joint responsibility of the Party and government, dual responsibility for each post,” and promptly address and resolve significant issues. People’s Congresses and their Standing Committees at all levels should strengthen legislative work on ecological civilization and oversight of law enforcement. CPPCC committees at all levels should intensify thematic consultations and democratic oversight on ecological civilization. Each region and relevant department shall submit, in writing, an annual report on progress in building a Beautiful China to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, which will compile these reports and present them to the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

(31) Strengthen accountability for implementation. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in collaboration with the National Development and Reform Commission and other relevant departments, shall formulate action plans by sector, establish a coordination mechanism, and accelerate the development of an implementation framework and a mechanism for advancing and ensuring the realization of the Beautiful China initiative. Efforts should be made to translate tasks into specific projects, put them on lists, and assign clear responsibilities, while reinforcing overall coordination, monitoring and evaluation, and oversight. Party committees and governments at all levels must reinforce their political responsibility for ecological and environmental protection, adopt tailored policies and region-specific governance approaches, and pursue high‑quality, precision‑driven development. Party committees and governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government should, in light of local conditions, promptly issue supporting documents. Relevant departments should enhance inter‑agency coordination, carefully calibrate the pace and intensity of measures, promote joint progress and mutual reinforcement, and strengthen policy support—covering fiscal, financial, and pricing measures—for major projects under the Beautiful China initiative.

(32) Strengthen publicity and promotion. Continue to deepen theoretical research, study and dissemination, institutional innovation, practical application, and international communication of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, and integrate ecological civilization education into the systems of cadre training, Party member education, and national education. Enhance public awareness of ecological civilization through various channels, including National Ecological Day and World Environment Day. Publish the White Paper on Building a Beautiful China. In accordance with relevant regulations, recognize and commend advanced units and individuals that have achieved remarkable results and made outstanding contributions to the cause of building a Beautiful China.

(33) Conduct performance assessments. Carry out monitoring and evaluation of the “Beautiful China” initiative, and implement an assessment of progress in its implementation. Study and establish a performance‑assessment indicator system for the “Beautiful China” initiative, formulate corresponding assessment measures, and, when appropriate, transition from assessing the outcomes of the tough battle against pollution to assessing the overall progress of building a Beautiful China. The assessment shall be led and coordinated by the Leading Group for Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection, and the assessment results will serve as an important reference for the comprehensive evaluation, rewards and punishments, and appointment or removal of leading teams at all levels and relevant leading cadres.