Earlier?this year, on April 3, when U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his extraordinary raft of tariff measures to the world, Chinese President Xi Jinping was sending a different message to the international community – he was planting trees on the outskirts of Beijing.

To get a sense of the depth of Xi’s commitment to environmental efforts, it is instructive to read his own words on the topic. The chapter on the building of a Beautiful China in the fifth volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China?provides a helpful summary of China’s contemporary priorities in environmental governance. It contains excerpts of several speeches, most notably the speech Xi delivered at the National Conference on Eco-Environmental Protection on July 17, 2023.

Xi’s speech is very encouraging for those who want to see stronger environmental protection. He makes frequent references to improving laws and policies, and strict law enforcement. In his words: “The eco-environment has no substitutes. We tend to be neglectful of this when we exploit it, yet it is irretrievable once lost … Environmental laws and regulations need to be further improved and strictly enforced … It is essential to hold Party committees and governments at all levels accountable for eco-environmental protection, implement eco-environmental inspections by central authorities … and reinforce law enforcement and oversight.”

Xi even makes an important link with national security: “We must adopt a holistic approach to national security, and respond actively and effectively to various risks and challenges, so that the natural environment and conditions, upon which our survival and development depend, are not threatened or damaged.” This acknowledgement of the inherent links between development, national security, and the environment is important, especially in times of geopolitical uncertainty.

The speech expands on what is meant by “Beautiful China” and “ecological civilization,” and provides a snapshot of how to get there. This is recommended reading for anyone studying environmental governance, and

China’s green transition in particular. It may also help to reassure climate observers that the Chinese top leadership place a strong emphasis on peaking and subsequently reducing greenhouse gas emissions toward climate neutrality.

Xi’s speeches are very different in style from those of Western political leaders. As our founder of ClientEarth, James Thornton, remarked after listening to Xi at the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October 2023, “His speech was remarkably detailed and nuanced, much like a CEO giving guidance and instructions to his staff.” Indeed, the speeches recorded in this book were primarily intended for officials at all levels in China.

They address questions Chinese officials must face, such as how to balance development and the environment, the degree to which carbon emissions reduction should be prioritized, why strong environmental laws and their enforcement are important, and how to ensure the economic benefits of environmental protection. Their scope is very broad, ranging from climate action to ecological restoration, from the mountains to the sea, from environmental laws to promoting sustainable consumer choices, and from nuclear safety to “new pollutants” (mainly referring to chemical pollution). The speeches also touch on contentious areas which require careful balancing, such as the role of fossil fuels in the energy transition.

When Xi made the July 2023 speech, he had already built up a green reputation, overseeing rapid reductions in air and water pollution. China had just made a significant contribution to global environmental governance, with the successful adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in December 2022. But at the same time, volatility in global energy markets, combined with serious economic pressures, had also led to some voices in China questioning whether the climate targets might be overly ambitious.

Given this context, it is remarkable to see such a strong and unwavering emphasis on the environment from Xi at that time. He was sending a very clear political signal that the environment and climate would remain top priorities.

The speeches also have a bearing on China’s role in the global green transition. Obviously, China’s green technologies are essential for a rapid and affordable global climate transition. On top of that, the progress in greening China’s overseas investments and trade supply chains is likely to be influenced by the pace of the country’s domestic environmental transition. And indirectly, China’s green transition may act as a reference point for countries and businesses who need to form expectations around how fast the world will decarbonize, in order to make the right investment choices today.

In my personal view, China’s methods of governance have long been underappreciated by many international observers, which is unfortunate. International media often use divisive or belittling wording when describing China, and its government in particular. This can be confusing, because China’s success during the past decades suggests that at least some things have been done very well.

China’s economy has grown over 10-fold during the past five decades. Eight-hundred million Chinese people have been lifted out of poverty since the 1980s, contributing the lion’s share of global progress in this area. Progress in the environment has been just as remarkable. Air pollution levels have dropped by 60 percent from 2013 to 2024. Forest cover has significantly increased, with China accounting for one quarter of all newly planted trees in the world. Cities around China are visibly becoming more beautiful and green, and China’s green sectors, including wind, solar, batteries, and electric vehicles are now world-leading. All of these successes are not the product of random chance. For the most part, they are the result of consistent and carefully planned government policies.

China has long studied the approaches other countries have taken to environmental protection. The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development is a prime example – since 1992, it has conducted high level policy research with international experts, providing annual recommendations to China’s State Council and leadership.

Developed and developing countries alike are still trying to work out effective ways to transition to net-zero carbon emissions and to achieve economic prosperity in harmony with nature. I believe it is time for all those with a genuine interest in environmental governance to take the time to study China’s approaches, including the speeches made by Xi. As China keeps achieving its environmental objectives, and becomes more “Beautiful,” I’m confident that its experience in environmental governance will increasingly be a reference and source of inspiration to other countries.

Dimitri De Boer is ClientEarth’s Director for China, and a special advisor to CCICED.