Focus on Arts and Ecology

The big environmental stories in the Chinese media this week (16-22 Aug)

During an inspection tour of the Qilian mountains this week, at the border of Gansu and Qinghai provinces, President Xi stressed the importance of ecological protection. 

“The Qilian mountains are a vital shield for ecological security in the western part of China, and play a crucial role in the national strategy... If we achieve high-quality development, then green mountains and clear water could be mountains of gold and silver.”

The Qilian mountains, which cover 2.65 million hectares, were designated a national nature reserve in 1988, but mining and construction carried on regardless, discharging toxic pollutants into rivers. In 2017, Xi made a speech indicating that he was deeply concerned with the “severe ecological degradation” of the mountains. Nearly 100 senior officials in Gansu province were later punished for neglect of duty. 

This week Xi expressed satisfaction with restoration work at the Qilian mountains. In recent years, he has shown determination to confront China’s environmental problems, and elevated the idea of “ecological civilization”.