As the summer breeze sweeps across the vast forests of Saihanba in Hebei, the green tea-covered hills of Anji in Zhejiang, and the highlands where Tibetan antelopes roam in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, a picture of coexistence between humanity and nature unfolds across China. This is not just a seasonal transformation. It represents the tangible fruits of two decades of ecological civilization building, nurtured by the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the concept's introduction. Since its inception in 2005, it has evolved into a cornerstone of China's development philosophy, guiding the nation toward a sustainable future where environmental protection and economic growth are mutually reinforcing.

Today, China's green miracles and green technologies are going global, benefiting the world. On streets from Jakarta to Johannesburg, new energy vehicles (NEVs) from Chinese brands navigate urban landscapes. And above us, the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite, jointly developed by the two nations, has become an indispensable tool for environmental monitoring and disaster response.

Development and ecology balance

At the heart of China's ecological philosophy is a simple yet profound principle: "Good ecological environments are the most inclusive benefit to people's wellbeing."

For Michael Crook, a long-time Beijing resident from the UK, the harmony between modern infrastructure and nature conservation is striking. During a trip to Xizang, he was moved by the wildlife corridors integrated into high-speed rail and elevated highways. "You can see yaks and Tibetan antelopes roaming freely underneath, crossing through specially designed passages," he said. "This approach minimizes environmental disruption while improving people's livelihoods."

In cities, the shift is equally visible. Nicholas Mulei Musyoka, associate professor in renewable energy at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, describes China's NEV industry as "innovative, scalable and impactful." He pointed out that the quiet, zero-emission vehicles are not only reducing pollution but also creating new jobs and driving technological innovation.

"China is setting the trend and becoming a benchmark for other countries to follow," Musyoka said. "More importantly, China's contribution to CO2 reductions benefits the entire planet."

Meanwhile, American entrepreneur Brian Linden has witnessed China's transformation since the early 2000. Balancing economic progress and environmental protection may be difficult, "but China has done it. We should recognize that China has improved dramatically in per capita terms economically, socially and ecologically," said Linden.

Green innovation and vision

Globally, China now leads in multiple green indicators: the fastest improvement in air quality, the largest deployment of renewable energy, the greatest expansion of forest resources, and the world's highest production and sales of NEVs.

China's environmental achievements are not accidental. They are the result of decades of forward-looking policies, consistent investment, and institutional innovation.

Peter Lund, a Finnish scientist and professor of Advanced Energy Systems at Aalto University, as well as an honorary professor at Southeast University in Nanjing, attributes China's success to its long-term vision. "China has had a very long-term vision, which we see now, and it's been an amazing journey," he said.

Lund highlighted China's stable research funding and its powerful synergy between R&D and industrial application. "China's progress in clean and renewable energy has been just amazing," he added.

Danish chemistry professor Troels Skrydstrup from Aarhus University agreed. "China is probably the most active country in sustainable development today," he said. "It is now a leader in renewable energy technologies, especially solar and wind."

Skrydstrup is particularly impressed by China's ability to scale up technologies rapidly. "Once a decision is made, it is executed swiftly," he observed. "This makes China an ideal partner for innovation and global collaboration."

Green shared future

China's green journey is not walking alone. Recognizing shared global challenges, China has actively shared its experience, technology and vision with other nations.

Within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China launched the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development together with 31 countries, and formed the Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition with more than 170 partners from more than 40 countries.

Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz, an elephant conservation expert at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Yunnan province, sees China's open stance in action.

"China plays an active role internationally. Through the BRI, China is helping develop infrastructure in other countries. I think this could be used not only for development but also for conservation," he added.

China can also promote protected areas and good ecological management in neighboring countries. For example, Xishuangbanna, which borders both Myanmar and Laos, is developing collaborations with these two countries for joint monitoring and protection. "This is a very good example of transboundary cooperation," Campos-Arceiz pointed out.

Rather than viewing China's green advancements as competition, experts like Musyoka urge global collaboration. "China's progress should be applauded," he said. "We should learn from its strategies. The bigger picture is solving the climate crisis together."