Jyb.cn:

In the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed promoting green and low-carbon ways of production and life. Mr. Zhai, can you tell us what measures will be taken to diversify the ways and forms of engaging the general public, particularly students and their parents, in ecological conservation and environmental protection? How will you generate synergy between government organs, enterprises, social organizations and the public in this regard?

Zhai Qing:

Thank you for your question. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that ecological conservation is a cause jointly contributed to and shared by the people, and advancing the building of a Beautiful China should become a conscious action by the people. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, all localities and departments have proactively fulfilled their due responsibilities since the 18th CPC National Congress. The general social awareness of ecological conservation has been significantly enhanced and the public has exhibited greater initiative in ecological conservation and environmental protection. We have focused our efforts on the following three fronts.

First, we are promoting understanding. We have strengthened efforts in information disclosure by releasing environmental quality information on time, exposing typical environmental violation cases, thus effectively protecting people's right to know about the environment. We have established a common information release mechanism and launched the ministry's new media platform where authoritative, accurate information on ecology and the environment is readily accessible. Focusing on major tasks such as the central inspection of ecological conservation and environmental protection and the critical battle of pollution prevention and treatment, we organized journalists to follow our working staff to the very frontline. We facilitated their reporting to the greatest extent. I think many of the journalists present today had been there with us. We have publicized our major policies and regulations and information on topical issues through press conferences, interviews and expert interpretations, helping the public better grasp the ideas and requirements of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and learn about the measures we have taken and their progress. 

Second, we are building consensus. Every year, we organize various national events to mark World Environment Day, which falls on June 5. This year, in particular, General Secretary Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter on this occasion, raising the sincere expectation that the ecological conservation philosophy is publicized and implemented throughout society, which was well-received among all sectors. After building a Beautiful China was initiated at the 18th CPC National Congress, relevant departments and we promptly launched a campaign themed "Beautiful China, I Can Play My Part" to select role models, including excellent volunteers, to encourage the whole society to participate in the endeavor. 

Third, we are driving action. Together with four other departments, including the General Office of the Central Commission for Guiding Cultural and Ethical Progress, we released Citizens' Code of Conduct on Ecology and the Environment (Trial), encouraging people to embrace a green lifestyle from 10 aspects, such as paying close attention to ecology and environment, saving energy and resources, practicing green consumption, and choosing low-carbon means of transport. It was dubbed by the media the fourth "10 Articles" in the field of ecology and environment after three similar codes were issued to respectively help protect the air, water and soil. We launched joint actions with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development to make four types of facilities more accessible to the public. They are environmental monitoring facilities, urban sewage treatment facilities, garbage treatment facilities, hazardous waste and electronic waste treatment facilities. Public awareness of environmental science can be raised and these facilities and units can be supervised by the public. So far, 2,100 facilities across the country have been opened to the public, attracting more than 160 million online and offline visits, covering all the cities at or above the prefectural level. We also worked with the General Office of the Central Commission for Guiding Cultural and Ethical Progress to enlist voluntary service in ecology and environment into the work mechanism to promote cultural-ethical advancement in the new era to see that the service is institutionalized, standardized, and regular. 

We will continue promoting the ecological conservation communications and education and intensify efforts to build a national action system to improve ecological and environmental governance. We will also mobilize the whole society on a broader scale to participate in ecological conservation and adopt a green lifestyle, thus consolidating the social foundation for constantly improving our ecology and environment and advancing the building of a Beautiful China. Thank you.  

Xing Huina:

That concludes today's press conference. Thank you all. Goodbye.

Translated and edited by Zhang Liying, Wang Qian, Liu Sitong, Zhou Jing, Li Huiru, Yan Bin, Wang Yanfang, Xu Kailin, Yang Xi, Yuan Fang, Zhang Rui, Huang Shan, Wang Yiming, Qin Qi, Zhang Junmian, Yan Xiaoqing, Guo Yiming, Ma Yujia, Lin Liyao, Xu Xiaoxuan, Liu Qiang, David Ball, Tom Arnsten, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.

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