Green Vitalization for Rural China
To implement China’s rural vitalization strategy, a green path for development and the peaceful coexistence of people and nature are essential.
To implement the rural vitalization strategy in China, a green path for development is essential. The country needs to coordinate systemic governance of mountains, waters, forests, farmland, lakes and grasslands, enhance the supply of ecological products and services, preserve food security and tackle environmental pollution to realize the goals of strong agriculture, beautiful villages and prosperous farmers.
Rural vitalization should be guided by the new development philosophy and enable people to overcome homesickness. Many people have returned to the countryside only to be disappointed by the fact that the beautiful homes in their memories had been polluted away. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, noted that the people should be able to see green mountains and clear waters, and have hometowns capable of anchoring their nostalgia. He added that we should protect the environment like we protect our eyes and treat the environment like it is our lives. Rural vitalization requires long-term vision based on the current situation. China will follow the principle of “green mountains and clear waters are invaluable assets,” and promote economic and social development that aligns with environmental protection. Making rural areas more pleasant places to live is a target set by the Central Rural Work Conference, as well as the core driver of the rural vitalization strategy. China should seek development that is for, by and of the people, and make more effective institutional arrangements so that people will more easily sense the gains of joint construction and shared development. This strategy will help development gain more momentum and unite the people along the road to common prosperity.
China’s economic prosperity boosts the sustainable development t of its rural areas, both economically y and socially. The supply-side structural reform can be promoted by developing agriculture with distinctive tive features and building brands. Value e chains can be extended through the e integration of planting, breeding and nd processing industries. Brand building, ng, industrialization and coordinated development should be enhanced. The principle of developing green and high-quality agriculture should be practiced in agricultural production, n, product processing and waste recycling. More organic food should d be produced. Instead of growth based ased on quantity, China’s agricultural sector ctor should pursue quality and branding, g, and produce high-quality, healthy and nd green agricultural products to maintain ntain grain security. Forest economics, ecological tourism and special towns ns should be developed to benefit rural al people. The principal contradiction n facing Chinese society is the one between unbalanced and inadequate te development and the people’s ever- growing need for a better life. Alongside physical wealth and spiritual itual treasure, more high-quality ecological cal