Green Modernization and Eco-Civilizational Progress in Contemporary China: Convergence, Tension, and Mutual Learning
The Discourses of Green Modernization and Eco-Civilizational Progress in Contemporary China
Introduction: Chinese Modernization and Green Discourses
"Chinese Modernization" as a Worldwide Concept (2022)
Systematically articulated by the working report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Emphasizes harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature as one of its "five unique features."
This concept has led to a historical convergence of two green theoretical discourses in contemporary China:
"Eco-civilizational progress"
"Green modernization"
In the Chinese context, these two discourses are largely understood as characteristic forms of a more general green discourse, sharing common goals and dependent environments.
However, despite convergence, noticeable differences and tensions exist, necessitating mutual learning within a broader green discourse framework.
China's Environmental Protection Progress (Past Decade under CPC Leadership)
Achieved "historic, turning and overall changes" (Xi 2022a).
Environmental Achievements by 2022:
Average PM2.5 concentration in major cities dropped 57\% cumulatively to 29\text{ug/m}^3.
Heavily-polluted days reduced by 93\%.
Proportion of good surface water bodies reached 87.9\%.
Black and bad-smelling urban water bodies eliminated.
Forest coverage rate increased to 24.02\%, making China the country with the fastest growth in forest resources and largest area of artificial forestation.
Established five national parks and carried out over 50 integrated protection and restoration projects for various ecosystems.
This progress marks a new stage for China's environmental protection, governance, and economic/social modernization, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
"Chinese Modernization with Harmonious Coexistence between Humanity and Nature"
Articulated by the 20th CPC National Congress in 2022 as a key building element of "Chinese modernization theory."
Establishes this concept as an independent green discursive theory, highlighting its relationship with "eco-civilizational progress."
This article explores the evolution, converging trends, inherent tension, and potential for mutual learning between these two discourses.
Both are official/political discourses proposed and promoted by the CPC and government, serving to clarify their political and policy implications and the opportunities/challenges their convergence brings for green transformation in China.
Development of the Discursive Theory of "Eco-Civilizational Progress"
Primary "Chinese Phenomenon"
Despite earlier widespread application globally, "eco-civilizational progress" is primarily a "Chinese phenomenon" (Foster 2023; Lu and Wang 2022:179–205).
Used by Chinese academia since the early 1980s, then gradually adopted into the CPC's political and policy discourse.
Adopted as a significant component of political ideology and governance strategy at the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.
Evolved into a complex discursive theory system, broadly summarized into three forms:
"Eco-civilizational progress" discourse and policy.
"Socialist eco-civilization" theory and practice.
"Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilization" (referred to as "New Era thought of eco-civilizational progress"), a crucial part of CPC's theoretical innovation in the New Era.
Theoretical Foundations of New Era Thought of Eco-Civilizational Progress
Marxist ecological (civilization) theory:
Extends beyond Marxist environmental philosophy to include extensive elaborations on ecological political economy and the green future society of scientific socialism.
Includes classic Marxist writers (Marx, Engels) and a broad range of eco-Marxists from Europe, the U.S., and contemporary China (Fang 2017; Xie 2019).
Constitutes a systemic and universal political philosophy, serving as the foundation of ecological worldview and methodology.
Research achievements in environmental humanities and social sciences:
Provides theoretical materials for constructing green discourse systems and disciplinary orientation for dialogue with other scientific disciplines.
Benefits from existing research since the 1960s and is an integral part of rapidly expanding green disciplinary domains.
China's precious traditional ecological culture:
Offers rich nourishment, inheriting various theoretical viewpoints and thinking modes across different schools of thought.
Xi Jinping emphasizes the Chinese people's historical valuation of humanity as an integral part of nature, pursuing harmonious coexistence (Xi 2022b:277, 273).
Requires creative transformation and innovative development to genuinely contribute to Chinese modern civilization, aiming for harmonious coexistence (Clayton and Heinzekehr 2014).
On-going Theoretical Construction and Innovation (Dual Process)
Historical generation of the ecological dimension of Socialist Theory with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era (led by CPC):
Reflects the increasing political importance of ecological environmental issues.
Successive core propositions:
Mao Zedong: "Improving the environment and being thrifty."
Deng Xiaoping: "Taking environmental protection as a basic state policy."
Jiang Zemin: "Implementing the sustainable development strategy."
Hu Jintao: "Building a resource-saving and environmentally friendly society."
These serve as historical preparation for New Era thought of eco-civilizational progress.
Formation process of an innovative theoretical system primarily created by Xi Jinping:
Evolved from local governance propositions to a comprehensive, systemic theoretical system.
Roughly separated into three stages:
Stage of Gestation and Sprout (1982–2007): Xi Jinping's propositions in local governance, leading to the systematized theory of environmental protection governance and green development, focused on "the two mountains theory (liang shan lun)" – "Clear waters and verdant mountains are invaluable assets" (Xi 2007:153).
Stage of Formation and Establishment (2007–2018): Xi Jinping addressed ecological issues at the national level. Systematically theorized and officially established, marked by the 18th and 19th CPC National Congress reports and his speech on May 18, 2018, at the national ecological environmental protection conference.
Stage of Enrichment and Development (2018–2024): Further writings, speeches, and talks by Xi Jinping, including addresses at Wuhan (Yangtze River Economic Belt) and Zhengzhou (Yellow River Basin) symposia, Volumes 3 and 4 of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, On Upholding Harmonious Coexistence between Humanity and Nature, the 20th CPC National Congress report, Volumes 1 and 2 of Selected Works of Xi Jinping, and his July 17, 2023, speech.
Theoretical System Implications (Three Main "System Forms")
Policy discourse system:
Foundation: Xi Jinping’s speech on May 18, 2018 ("the 5.18 Speech") at the National Conference on Ecological Environmental Protection.
"Six key principles":
Upholding harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
Clear waters and verdant mountains are invaluable assets.
Sound ecological environment is the most inclusive well-being of the people.
Mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands are a life community.
Protecting the environment requires the best institutional arrangements and the strictest rule of law.
Working together on global eco-civilizational progress (Xi 2022b:8–14).
Later expanded to "eight key principles" (adding: "A sound ecosystem is essential for the prosperity of human civilization" and "Turning the target of building a beautiful China into conscious action for all people").
Further expanded to "ten key principles" (adding: "Ensuring the overall leadership of the Party in eco-civilizational progress" and "Green development is a profound revolution in the outlook on development") (Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and Ministry of Ecology and Environment 2022).
20th CPC National Congress report: Related propositions in "the ten theoretical credos," "the fourteen basic strategies," and "the achievements in thirteen policy areas" form a complete system.
Academic discourse system:
Interpreted and constructed by environmental humanities and social sciences scholars (Huan 2022d; Zhang and Li 2022; Zhang 2019).
Answers: "why pursuing eco-civilizational progress, what kind of it to be built and how to facilitate it" (Huan 2023d; Xi 2022b: 9).
Key documents: 18th/19th CPC National Congress reports and "the 5.18 Speech."
Ten core concepts/phrases: Socialist eco-civilizational progress; sustainable development of the Chinese nation/beautiful China/clean and beautiful world; humanity and nature as a community of life/mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and sand as a community of life/community with a shared future for mankind; respecting nature, conforming to nature and protecting nature; saving resources and protecting the environment as a basic state policy/implementing the strategy of sustainable development/building a resource-saving and environmentally friendly society/principles of prioritizing resource conservation and environmental protection and letting nature restore itself; eco-civilizational economy; modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature; green development; eco-civilizational societal institutions; global eco-civilizational progress.
Eight basic theoretical propositions/arguments:
A human civilization may thrive if its natural surroundings thrive, and will suffer if its natural surroundings suffer.
Clear waters and verdant mountains are invaluable assets.
Protecting the environment is to protect productivity, and improving the environment is to boost productivity.
A sound ecological environment is the most inclusive well-being of the people.
Ecological environment protection and governance must be carried out in a systemic or integrated manner, across all regions and throughout the entire process.
Protecting ecological environment depends on complete institutions and the rule of law.
Pushing the strategy of building a beautiful China into conscious action for all people.
China is an important participant, contributor and trailblazer in global eco-civilizational progress.
Requires careful wording to bridge policy documents and academic/international dialogue.
Worldview and methodology discourse system:
Stimulated by the 20th CPC National Congress report's call to grasp the worldview and methodology of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (Xi 2022a:18–19).
Emphasizes applying this theory to building a modern socialist country.
Key point: "to plan development standing on the height of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" (Xi 2022a:50).
Analyzes four-dimensional relations and four key strategies (Chapter 10 of 20th Congress report):
Four-dimensional relations: Integrated protection and governance of natural ecosystems; coordination and consistency of ecological environmental protection and governance; coordinated promotion of ecological environmental protection and economic development; integral promotion of prioritizing ecological conservation and green development (Xi 2022a:50).
Main thread: Systemic way of thinking, applying system method in environmental protection and governance.
Methodological implications: Terms like "accelerating," "deepening," "enhancing," "actively yet prudently advancing" denote strategic actions.
Continual Enrichment and Development
Eco-civilizational progress has made remarkable achievements since 2012 (Clayton 2024; People's Daily July 17, 2023).
Currently displayed as complete policy, academic, and to some extent, worldview/methodology discourse systems.
The implementation of the "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" strategy will further stimulate its development.
Development of the Discursive Theory of "Green Modernization"
Broad vs. Narrow Sense
Broad sense: "Green or ecological modernization" (resource-saving, environmentally friendly industrialization) has deeper roots in China's modernization goals (Wu 2023; Huan 2019a).
Narrower sense: "Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature." This specific concept emerged mid-to-late 1970s and 1980s, reflecting a reflective understanding of modernization practices and discourse.
Connotation differs significantly from "eco-modernization" in the EU and U.S. contexts (Mol 1995; Murphy 2001; Weale 1992).
Evolution of the Concept under CPC Leadership
Deng Xiaoping (1979):
First used terms "Chinese-style modernization path" and "Chinese-style four modernizations" three times.
Emphasized development suitable for China's reality and lowering standards compared to Western countries, aiming for "a moderately prosperous society."
Acknowledged "large population and little arable land" but highlighted "abundant natural resources" as an advantage (Deng 1994:164;111).
Jiang Zemin (2001, 2002):
Linked harmony between humanity and nature with "civilization development" and "new-type industrialization."
Defined civilization development as "prosperous production, living in abundance and ecologically sound" (Jiang 2006:295).
New-type industrialization characterized by "high scientific and technological content, good economic returns, low resources consumption, less environmental pollution" (Jiang 2006:544–545).
Elevated these goals to national requirements for implementing environmental protection and sustainable development strategies.
Hu Jintao (2003-2012):
Emphasized "living in harmony between humanity and nature" for sustainable economic and social development (Hu 2016a:104, 167).
Stated that ideal future Marxist society involves people living in harmony with each other and nature (Hu 2016b:5).
Called for promoting a new pattern of modernization for the harmonious development of humanity and nature (Hu 2016b:609).
Stressed rational utilization of nature based on conforming to its laws (Hu 2016b:134).
Placed harmonious development as a goal for sustainable development and eco-civilizational progress.
Xi Jinping:
Elaborated the concept multiple times, e.g., "Green development, in its essence, is to solve the problem of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature…" (Xi 2022b:133).
Described the modernization China pursues as one of harmonious coexistence, creating material/cultural wealth and high-quality ecological goods, adhering to resource conservation and environmental protection (Xi 2022b:187).
His earliest elaboration was "the Six Principles of Longdou" in 1998, with the fifth principle stating, "Humans and nature should live harmoniously, and we should not hurt it" (Note 2).
Articulation at the 20th CPC National Congress
"Chinese modernization theory" consists of theoretical understandings and practical requirements.
Theoretical Understandings:
Central mission: "Beauty" is one of five.
Unique feature: "Harmony between humanity and nature" is one of five.
Essential requirement: "Facilitating the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" is one of nine.
Practical Requirements (Goals and Tasks):
Next five years: Significantly improved urban/rural living environment; obvious achievements in building a beautiful China.
By 2035: Widely realized green modes of production/lifestyle; carbon emissions peak and steadily decline; ecological environment fundamentally improved; beautiful China basically realized.
By middle of this century: China becomes a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful.
Systematically clarified the main implications of "Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature." (Xi 2022a:50).
Xi Jinping highlighted its methodological and theoretical significance as a major innovation in global modernization theory and practice (People's Daily Feb 2, 2023).
Dimensions of Understanding the Concept
Methodological level: Serves as a summary of China's modernization experiences and a blueprint for the future, integrating global wisdom.
Theoretical level: Represents a green/ecological modernization perspective based on China's historical experience, a vision of the future (central mission of "beauty"), and a timely response to the urgent need for human civilization's transition to sustainable development.
Descriptive and Normative dimensions.
Essentially a "grand ecological view" with deep connections among: ecological worldview, ecological view of value, ecological view of history, ecological view of civilization, and ecological view of democracy (Huan 2023c).
Crucial Role in Modernization (Three Aspects)
Provide green regulation and guide practical explorations for China.
Enable an endogenous or internal greening of existing modernization theories and approaches globally.
Promote the development of environmental humanities and social sciences.
Convergence, Tension, and Mutual Learning of Two Major Green Discourses
Historic Convergence
Evident from the 20th CPC National Congress working report (Chapters 3 and 10).
"New Era thought of eco-civilizational progress" and "Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" are the most typical system forms and concrete theoretical forms of a broader green discourse.
While eco-civilizational progress emphasizes the "five-in-one" feature and revolutionary implications, green modernization highlights ecological qualities of modernization.
Both share common goals and dependent environments.
Points of Convergence
Core Ideas:
"Upholding harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" is the foremost of the "six key principles" for eco-civilizational progress, forming its ontological foundation (Zhou and Tong 2023).
This principle is deeply connected to an ontological understanding of "the living community of humans and nature," "the life community of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands," and "the community with a shared future for mankind." It leads to values like "reverence for nature."
"Harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" is one of the five prominent characteristics of "Chinese modernization," understood as an instructional ecological worldview and methodology (Huan 2023c).
Visions of Future Society:
Eco-civilizational progress depicts dual dimensions of "sustainable development" and "beauty" for "China (the Chinese nation)" and "the world." It strives for a sustainable and beautiful China/world, requiring balancing ecological protection with sustainable development and domestic with global interests.
"Beautiful" is a "major feature" of Chinese modernization, symbolizing the overall pursuit of "Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature." It signifies upgrading environmental protection and governance alongside economic/social modernization.
Both discourses share common/similar visions for the near future.
Strategic Thinking:
Eco-civilizational progress emphasizes the "five-in-one" overall layout and the basic strategy of "facilitating harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature," integrating it into all aspects of development (CCCPC 2021).
Chinese modernization stresses that it is characterized by harmonious coexistence, aiming to provide material/cultural wealth and high-quality ecological goods (Xi 2017:50).
"Facilitating the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" is an essential requirement of Chinese modernization (Xi 2022a:23-24).
Both place this harmonious coexistence at a key strategic position.
Inherent Tension
Visible differences arise from their focal points:
Eco-civilizational progress: Aims to create a new societal civilization and facilitate ecological transformation. Its innovation stems from self-reflective cognition, active self-adjustment, and an ecological negation of dominant global modernization models, striving for a fundamentally different economy, society, and culture (Cobb 2023). It implies a radical transformation.
Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature: Focuses on finding a rational process and path for advancing China's established economic/social modernization goals, enhancing environmental protection within this process (Lv and Han 2023). It requires cautious consideration in a context where "modernization" is still a "political correctness."
Constraints of "Modernization": The term "modernization" as part of the discourse can be a hindrance when contemplating "harmonious coexistence," due to its hegemonic historical legacy. The prefix "Chinese(-style)" does not automatically ensure ecological regulation aligned with harmonious coexistence.
Relative Stages of Development: While academic attention on "Chinese modernization" is meaningful, it should not detach from "eco-civilizational progress." The latter is arguably more fundamental and forward-looking, whereas "Chinese modernization" is more realistic and practical.
Potential for Mutual Learning and Promotion
The inherent tension should be consciously utilized within a broader green discourse framework (Chen and Xiao 2023).
"Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature":
Constitutes a complete "ecological view of Chinese modernization."
Serves as an alternative narration of "New Era thought of eco-civilizational progress" in the modernization context.
Indicates establishing and practicing the idea of "Clear waters and verdant mountains are invaluable assets," emphasizing integrated protection, coordination, and promotion of ecological environment protection with economic development.
Involves comprehensive implementation of "new four strategic deployments": accelerating green transformation, strengthening pollution control, enhancing ecosystem stability/diversity/sustainability, and actively advancing "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" goals (Xi 2022a:50–52).
Can be taken as a phased theoretical system form of "eco-civilizational progress," serving as a practical/instrumental approach to achieve qualitative breakthroughs.
More conducive to modernizing ecological environment protection and governance systems in later stages of China's modernization.
"Eco-civilizational progress":
More capable of highlighting the features of transcendence and ecological sustainability in building a modern socialist country.
Regulates China's own practice while promoting a new and just green future globally.
Ideal Scenario: Over time, the focus of "Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" will shift from "modernization" to "harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" and its "Chinese(-style)" aspects.
Consequently, "eco-civilizational progress" will gain increasingly rich revolutionary/creative implications due to vibrant Chinese ideas and practice.
Conclusion
The 20th CPC National Congress report's elaboration of "Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" signifies a historical convergence of "eco-civilizational progress" and "green modernization."
"Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" can be seen as another theoretical system form of "New Era thought of eco-civilizational progress," reflecting remarkable progress in environmental governance (Huan and Huan 2022; Huan et al. 2022).
However, "eco-civilizational progress," as a more radical and long-term oriented green discourse, carries richer considerations of ecological sustainability and greater potential for societal transformation compared to "Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature."
A theoretical development environment of mutual learning and promotion is crucial to avoid imbalance or bias.
It is promising that "Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" may serve as a phased or transitional form of "eco-civilizational progress" in the New Era, leading to its qualitative breakthrough and reconstruction.
This interaction could eventually lead to "Chinese modernization with harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" becoming a negation or transcendence of the general discourse and practice of green modernization, especially when compared to its Western versions (Huan 2021b:1–48; Jänicke and Jacob 2012).
The article focuses on a normative/philosophical analysis, acknowledging that the advocated ideas may not perfectly match reality and their full institutionalization or realization by common people (business, managers, trade unions) is yet to be seen. (Note 1, Note 3 on academic discussion volume).