The 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held its 38th briefing session on issues of major concern in Beijing on Sept 4, focusing on the construction of pilot zones for the Beautiful China Initiative and fostering pacesetters for green and low-carbon development. Shen Yueyue, vice-chairwoman of the CPPCC National Committee, delivered a speech at the meeting. Wang Guangqian, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, also attended the meeting.

In her briefing, Guo Fang, vice-minister of ecology and environment, said that in recent years, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has implemented the decisions and plans of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, coordinated high-quality development with high-standard ecological and environmental protection, and used pilot zones as an important vehicle for advancing the building of a Beautiful China. It has promoted the development of pilot zones at the regional and provincial levels and in urban and rural areas according to local conditions and in different categories, Guo said.

During the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, the ministry will continue to advance pollution prevention and control, optimize ecosystems, make concerted efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, pursue green development, boost economic growth, and promote the development of pilot zones to a high standard, according to Guo. It will work to foster pacesetters for green development and strive for new major progress in building a Beautiful China, Guo said.

Zhuang Shaoqin, vice-minister of natural resources, said the Ministry of Natural Resources has planned and advanced its work from the perspective of promoting harmony between humanity and nature, fulfilled its role as the chief steward of natural resources and a guardian of Beautiful China, and worked to accelerate the comprehensive green transition in economic and social development.

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the ministry will improve the territorial spatial development pattern, strengthen the management of natural resource assets, take a holistic and systematic approach to the protection and conservation of mountain, river, forest, farmland, lake, grassland, and desert ecosystems, and ensure the rational protection and use of natural resources. It will also promote deeper integration of spatial governance and resource management to better advance the building of a Beautiful China, Zhuang said.

During the session, CPPCC National Committee members exchanged views with officials from government departments on issues including leveraging the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to promote the green transition of Belt and Road cooperation, advancing regional coordinated development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, building a Beautiful China pilot zone in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, improving mechanisms for realizing the value of ecological products, and developing beautiful rural areas based on local conditions.

Che Jun, chairman of the Committee on Population, Resources and Environment of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the session. Deputy secretaries-general of the CPPCC National Committee, vice-chairpersons of special committees of the CPPCC National Committee, CPPCC National Committee members, and representatives from the central committees of non-Communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce attended the meeting.