Not only can ecological progress and economic development coexist, they can also promote each other if managed properly.

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Since the reform and opening-up policy was introduced, the Chinese economy has grown rapidly. However, the intensive model of economic growth has taken a toll on the environment. It is often argued that China cannot develop its economy while simultaneously protecting the environment.

 

But in fact, the environment is an important productive factor. As Chinese President Xi Jinping once said, “To protect the environment is to preserve our productivity, and to improve the environment is to develop our productivity.”

Not only can ecological progress and economic development coexist, they can also promote each other if managed properly. Under new circumstances, we should understand this relationship and boost economic development on the basis of respecting ecological laws to achieve harmony between man and nature. 

Now, the Chinese economy has transitioned from a period of high-speed growth to one of moderately rapid growth. At the same time, the model of economic growth, which formerly emphasized scale, now prioritizes efficiency and quality. That is to say, China has entered the green economy era. In the green economy age, ecological progress and economic growth are not mutually exclusive. However, in the initial stage of transforming the growth model and improving the environment, some areas and industries will inevitably pay the cost. But we should not stop in face of this temporary and partial sacrifice. Instead, we should take measures to reduce the impact of ecological progress on some industrial sectors.

In the long run, environmental protection will facilitate economic development rather than be an obstacle to it. The two will benefit each other in the following aspects. For one thing, ecological protection will drive the development and application of advanced and new technologies in areas like biology, materials, energy and electronics. This will then promote technological innovation and the transformation of innovation results as well as expand the space for technological and economic development. Those inventions and application thus produced can then be applied to other industries, becoming new engines for economic growth.

Furthermore, environmental protection can bring about new growth points. First, input in ecological protection will increase job opportunities and boost domestic demand. Second, it will promote industrial reconstructing and upgrading. Some energy-intensive and polluting enterprises will be eliminated and give way to high-tech industries and high-end services, which are environmentally friendly. This will in turn enhance the international competitiveness of China’s enterprises and economy.

Strengthening ecological protection will also boost the development of renewable energy equipment, renewable energy automobiles and other green manufacturing. Finally,  ecological protection can directly promote the development of energy-saving and environmentally friendly industries. Their products, technologies and techniques will be further favored by people.

 

Qu Jinhua and Zhu Zhe are from Jilin University.