The proposal for the 15th Five-Year Plan outlines that significant new progress has been made in building a Beautiful China. In the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, how can the construction of a Beautiful China be enhanced in both quality and efficiency? How will initiatives such as the development of pilot zones for a Beautiful China and the advancement of beautiful city construction be promoted? On January 28, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment held a press conference to provide relevant updates.
Five Keywords Summarize the Work for the New Year
Sun Shouliang, Director-General of the Department of Comprehensive Affairs at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, stated that the ecological and environmental protection work for 2026 can be summarized with five keywords: "inauguration and innovation," "addressing both symptoms and root causes," "improving quality and expanding scope," "safeguarding the bottom line," and "strengthening foundations and enhancing efficiency."
Regarding "inauguration and innovation," Sun Shouliang explained that, based on a systematic review of the achievements and experiences during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, high-quality planning for the ecological and environmental sector under the 15th Five-Year Plan must be developed. Efforts will focus on implementing major regional strategies, planning and fostering green development hubs, and cultivating green productive forces.
Concerning "addressing both symptoms and root causes," Sun Shouliang emphasized the need to "firmly grasp the core objective of comprehensive ecological and environmental improvement, addressing both the symptoms and, more importantly, the root causes." He noted that green and low-carbon development should be regarded as the "fundamental solution," with greater emphasis on leveraging technology, controlling sources, and prioritizing carbon reduction as the "key focus." This includes harnessing the guiding role of the national major science and technology project for comprehensive environmental governance in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, strengthening the application of the ecological and environmental zoning control system in policy formulation, environmental access, and industrial park management, and accelerating the development of the national carbon market.
Regarding "improving quality and expanding scope," efforts will focus on better meeting the public's new expectations for a beautiful ecological environment. Sun Shouliang explained that higher standards will be applied in the battles for blue skies, clear waters, and clean land. Additionally, governance of solid waste and new pollutants will be further strengthened, with accelerated efforts to establish a collaborative governance and environmental risk control system for new pollutants.
In terms of "safeguarding the bottom line" and "strengthening foundations and enhancing efficiency," the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will enhance supervision of ecological protection and restoration, promptly and scientifically handle various environmental emergencies, implement the ecological and environmental code upon its promulgation, and advance supporting institutional development. The ministry will also deepen the third round of central ecological and environmental protection inspections.
Advancing the Construction of Pilot Zones for a Beautiful China
Recently, with the approval of the State Council, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in collaboration with relevant departments, initiated actions to develop pilot zones for a Beautiful China in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Sun Shouliang stated that these three major regions are tasked with serving as the "driving force" for high-quality development, the "pacesetter" for high-level protection, and the "testing ground" for building a Beautiful China. For example, the integrated circuit, biomedicine, and new energy industries in the Yangtze River Delta each account for over one-third of the national total. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, PM2.5 concentrations in these three regions decreased by 27.2%, 13.6%, and 2.4%, respectively, demonstrating significant environmental benefits from collaborative governance. Additionally, these regions have collectively established 168 ecological civilization demonstration zones, representing 32.6% of the national total.
How will the construction of pilot zones be advanced? Sun Shouliang explained that a "one-table, three-list" mechanism will be adopted. The "one table" refers to the target indicator table, while the "three lists" include the key task list, reform list, and policy list. This mechanism aims to guide localities to focus on problem-solving and innovation, leveraging the roles of the three missions.
It is understood that the Ministry of Ecology and Environment plans to integrate the completion of the "one-table, three-list" into the evaluation system for building a Beautiful China. Additionally, efforts will be made to establish and improve a three-dimensional implementation system involving departmental coordination, regional collaboration, and broad public participation, further refining the advancement mechanism for pilot zones of a Beautiful China.
Elevating Beautiful City Construction to New Heights
Guilin City has leveraged the protection of the Lijiang River to create a model for urban ecological protection. Guangzhou City has taken the city as a holistic unit, coordinating the design of beautiful city construction projects... Currently, beautiful city construction is steadily progressing across the country.
Last year, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, along with multiple departments, issued the "Implementation Plan for Beautiful City Construction," outlining a systematic timeline and roadmap for beautiful city development. A reference indicator system for beautiful city construction was also introduced.
Significant achievements have been made in exploring beautiful city construction. Sun Shouliang noted that, in terms of adapting to local conditions and highlighting unique features, many localities adhere to the principle of "one city, one brand," creating distinctive characteristics that reflect both individual and collective beauty. Regarding exploring pathways and policy innovation, many areas have established mechanisms for beautiful city construction led by Party committees, guided by governments, with collaborative efforts from departments and broad public participation.
It is reported that the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will continue to adhere to the principles of "green and low-carbon development, beautiful environment, ecological livability, safety and health, and smart efficiency." A "one city, one policy" classification management mechanism will be established, a clear and standardized technical support system will be developed, and a policy support mechanism that integrates and connects various aspects will be strengthened. Efforts will also be made to effectively communicate the stories of beautiful cities.
Enhancing the Efficiency of Ecological and Environmental Law Enforcement and Supervision
Pei Xiaofei, spokesperson for the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, explained that recent changes in ecological and environmental law enforcement can be summarized in three aspects.
First, the enforcement philosophy has shifted from "supervision" to "supervision + service." Relevant measures include issuing a series of documents such as the "Opinions on Further Standardizing Ecological and Environmental Law Enforcement to Optimize the Business Environment." Minor violations by enterprises are handled with leniency, providing appropriate room for error correction. In 2025, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment handled 8,947 cases of minor violations without imposing penalties, helping enterprises operate with fewer burdens.
Second, enforcement methods have transitioned from "relying primarily on human efforts" to "prioritizing technological means." Pei Xiaofei stated, "We are actively exploring a new model of law enforcement and supervision characterized by 'professional guidance, data-driven approaches, vertical and horizontal coordination, and targeted enforcement.'" In 2025, the number of on-site ecological and environmental inspections nationwide decreased by nearly 40%, while the problem detection rate increased by 10 to 25 percentage points.
Third, enforcement approaches have evolved from "individual efforts" to "collaborative operations." Through joint initiatives such as organizing training sessions on environmental law enforcement and justice with the Supreme People's Court and issuing relevant notices with the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment aims to bridge the gap between the "first mile" of administrative law enforcement and the "last mile" of criminal justice, fostering a clear, efficient, and responsive collaborative enforcement model.
Pei Xiaofei added, "Moving forward, we will continue to leverage both technological means and institutional innovation to advance the iterative upgrade of enforcement models, providing robust law enforcement support for comprehensively advancing the construction of a Beautiful China."
Comments
0