Summary of Key Points
The State Council has released the "15th Five-Year Plan for the Construction of a Beautiful China" (the first five-year plan in the field of ecological environment to bear this name). It addresses environmental issues that are close to people's daily lives, such as polluted ponds, ditches, and illegal garbage dumps. The plan outlines specific action plans under three main initiatives: protecting the sky, water, and soil. It emphasizes that building a beautiful China is about creating a tangible reality rather than just using slogans. At the same time, it promotes the implementation of an ecological environment code to ensure that citizens can genuinely feel the improvement in their surroundings.
1. Why is this plan necessary?
Although the sky has become clearer and major rivers have become cleaner over the years, problems near people's homes remain unresolved. Ponds and ditches are often polluted, and illegal garbage dumping is a source of concern for residents. For example, some areas have clean main streams but dirty tributaries, which is a visible issue that affects people's lives. Therefore, this plan is not just about shouting slogans; it is a practical guide aimed at addressing these critical issues.
2. Sky Protection Campaign: The fourth set of "Ten Measures for Air Pollution Control" is on its way
Significant achievements but no relaxation of efforts
By 2025, the national PM2.5 concentration is expected to drop to 28 micrograms per cubic meter (less than half of the 2013 level), with only 0.9% of days experiencing severe pollution. In Beijing, the improvement has been even more noticeable, from 89.5 micrograms per cubic meter in 2013 to 27 micrograms per cubic meter last year (a 70% reduction). However, the air quality improvement is not yet stable, and there is still significant pressure to transform industries and energy systems as we transition from "clearly improved" to "completely improved" air quality.
What are the new measures in the new plan?
- Higher goals: By 2030, PM2.5 levels are to be reduced by another 10% to below 27 micrograms per cubic meter.
- Targeted approaches: Different regions have different priorities. Old pollution-prone areas like the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will continue with intensive efforts, while regions such as the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and Sichuan-Chongqing need to strengthen governance. Areas like Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao and Hainan aim to set world-class standards.
3. Water Protection Campaign: From major rivers to local ponds and ditches
Where are the weaknesses?
The main streams of the Yangtze River and Yellow River have maintained Class II water quality for many years, but smaller bodies of water near people's homes are still polluted. For example, tributaries become dirty after rain, causing annoyance among residents.
How to address these issues?
- Special action plans: The State Council has issued a plan to protect and manage water bodies near residents, focusing on three key areas: black and odorous water bodies in counties and towns, pollution from aquaculture, and wastewater from industrial parks.
- Clear goals: By 2030, the goal is to achieve "three no's" – no discoloration, no odor, and no foreign substances in the water.
- Specific measures: More than 4,200 industrial park wastewater treatment facilities will be built, 390,000 sewage outfalls into rivers will be upgraded, and over 200 new monitoring points will be added. A reporting app on Douyin (TikTok) has also been launched to facilitate residents in documenting and complaining about water pollution.
4. Soil Protection Campaign: Keeping illegal garbage dumps away from people
How serious is the problem?
Illegal garbage dumping is a source of frustration for residents and a headache for local authorities. Last year, a special campaign identified over 56,000 issues, and more than 60 million tons of garbage were cleared.
How to solve this problem?
- Comprehensive monitoring: Satellite and drone technology are used for aerial surveillance, along with manual inspections on the ground, and reports from residents help create a comprehensive network.
- Efficient disposal: A closed-loop mechanism has been established for handling issues, including transferring clues, supervising, verifying, and resolving them. For example, more than half of the problems related to garbage dumping in caves have been resolved.
- Next steps: Focus on both immediate solutions (removing garbage dumps near residents) and long-term strategies (regulating the entire solid waste management chain to promote "waste-free cities"). Additionally, plans are in place to improve environmental conditions in 80,000 administrative villages, with the goal of achieving a 70% sewage treatment rate in rural areas.
5. Building a beautiful China: A matter of reputation and supported by law
From slogans to practical actions
Minister Huang Runqiu emphasizes the need to focus on four key aspects: benefiting the people, addressing pollution at the source, promoting innovation and reform in governance systems, and involving everyone in the effort.
6. The implementation of the ecological environment code
The newly implemented code will place 75% of enforcement responsibilities under the jurisdiction of ecological environment departments. Three main tasks lie ahead: improving supporting systems, strengthening law enforcement, and conducting education to ensure the code is effectively enforced.
In summary, this plan aims to turn intangible achievements into tangible benefits for the people, such as clear skies, clean water bodies near homes, and no garbage dumps along roadsides. This is what truly defines a beautiful China.