China is increasingly using the concept of ‘Ecological Civilization’ as a starting point for environmental policy. The Chinese vision is also receiving more attention outside the country. This is evident from research by international climate and environmental governance scientist Beibei Yang into the development of this policy and its international dissemination.
Ecological Civilization has grown into an important principle behind Chinese environmental policy. The idea is that economic development and the protection of nature and the climate must be brought into balance. With this, China aims not only to grow greener but also to manage natural resources differently.
Yang's research shows that this vision influences various policy areas in China, including climate and forest management. The Chinese government uses the principle to link environmental protection more strongly to economic development and the management of natural resources.
From Chinese policy to international discussion
The influence of Ecological Civilization is not limited to China. The concept is increasingly being put forward in international discussions, including through the United Nations and the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, the international cooperation program for infrastructure and trade.
In doing so, China is attempting not only to implement environmental policy but also to help determine how the world views environmental problems and solutions. This is an important development, according to Yang: “Ideas regarding nature and environmental protection no longer originate exclusively from Western countries. China is increasingly emphatically introducing its own vision into the international debate. As a result, the discussion on climate, biodiversity, and the sustainable use of natural resources is becoming more diverse.”
Not applied the same way everywhere
However, the international spread of the Chinese concept does not mean that other countries automatically adopt it. The meaning and application of Ecological Civilization can differ from country to country. Moreover, the idea is closely linked to the Chinese political system.
Precisely because of this, its international acceptance remains a subject of debate. Yang shows that international standards are not simply transferred from one country or region to other countries. They can be adjusted, interpreted differently, or partially adopted along the way.
Importances for international cooperation
The research results are relevant for policymakers, international organizations, and countries that cooperate with China. Anyone involved in projects within the Belt and Road Initiative, for example, will encounter the environmental policy principles promoted by China in this context.
This development is also important for future international agreements on climate and biodiversity. If China plays a greater role in determining international environmental standards, other countries must look not only at what China is doing, but also at the ideas behind Chinese policy.
Yang's research thus reveals a broader shift: the international approach to environmental problems is increasingly less determined by exclusively Western ideas. Non-Western countries, including China, are increasingly actively contributing their own visions.
Research into policy and international influence
Yang investigated Ecological Civilization as a case study, with an emphasis on climate and forest policy, two important components of Chinese environmental policy. To this end, she analyzed Chinese policy documents, government reports, speeches, reports from international meetings, and scientific publications, among other sources. She also examined the development of the concept over time: from its origins in China to its introduction into international discussions and the reactions of other countries and organizations.
“China is not only working on changing its own environmental policy, but is also increasingly trying to contribute to the ideas and norms that determine how countries worldwide deal with climate and nature,” said Yang.