Xi Jinping has often portrayed a strong stance for economic growth first, environmental regulations later. Nonetheless, with his aim to make China a respected global power, Xi has been more cooperative with international environmental treaties than most would think.
The Chinese Industrial Revolution?
On multiple occasions, Xi Jinping said the country must fight against waste and irrational consumption as it bids to reverse the damage done to its environment after decades of breakneck growth, state media reported on Saturday. It is a well known ‘Chinese’ environmental strategy, to establish growth first and then attempt to fix the environment. Although it is often criticised, many defenders would claim it was the Western Industrial Revolution path to economic growth.
Working Towards Global Cooperation
We must speed up the construction of a system of ecological civilisation and ensure that the ecology and environment are fundamentally improved by 2035 and that our goal of building a beautiful China is basically achieved.”
XI
Since, the government launched a campaign to tackle pollution in 2014 amid rising public discontent about the state of the country’s skies, waterways and soil. It has since introduced a slew of measures aimed at curbing industrial pollution, improving environmental law enforcement, and boosting emission standards and clean energy use.
Now with the US backing of the Paris Agreement, China has been taking a more responsible stance when it comes to the environment and became more cooperative with international environmental treaties.
