Ancient wisdom guides China's green future

"Heaven does not speak and it alternates the four seasons; earth does not speak and it nurtures all things." President Xi Jinping has often quoted this ancient wisdom from a Tang dynasty poem to underscore ecological conservation, respecting the rhythm of nature and building a shared future for all life on Earth. Previously, President Xi has also noted that as long as we human beings interact with nature rationally and protect it, nature will reward us generously. 

The quote comes from "A Letter to Pei Kuan in Anzhou" by the renowned poet Li Bai. It is a metaphor for the laws of nature — a reminder that everything in the universe operates by its own rules, entirely independent of human will. This profound respect for nature's silent laws finds deep resonance in China's modern ecological path.

By marking National Ecology Day on August 15, China underscores its ongoing commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, demonstrating its achievements in actively fostering a green and low-carbon economy. In 2025, the national forest coverage rate exceeded 25%. By leveraging forest environments, the annual output value of China's under-forest economy reached approximately 1.3 trillion yuan, driving employment and income growth for tens of millions of forest farmers. At the same time, green and low-carbon industries have become a powerful new engine for economic growth. Driven by the surge in the new energy sector, sales revenue from clean energy power generation — represented by wind, solar, hydro and nuclear power — increased by 17% year on year in the first half of 2026. Furthermore, a sound ecological environment has also provided prime conditions for tourism. Ecotourism in China registered over 3 billion tourist visits in 2025, while forest wellness and bird-watching economies are booming. As people enjoy scenery, engage in eco-education programs, enjoy wellness retreats and dwell in nature, new formats and scenarios for green-driven prosperity are constantly emerging.

However, these achievements are not the end of the journey. According to the 15th Five-Year Plan, by 2030, forest coverage will reach over 25.8%, and carbon intensity will drop another 17%. This marks China's transition from mere quantity to enduring quality. "Heaven does not speak and it alternates the four seasons; earth does not speak and it nurtures all things." Our respect for nature's silent order is ultimately our commitment to every tree, every breeze, and every piece of land and water we restore.