The National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection marks one of the historic events in the development course of ecological civilization and ecological and environmental protection; it ranks at the highest level with unparallelled significance. The event fully demonstrates the great attention attached by the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core to the building of ecological civilization and the ecological and environmental protection. General Secretary Xi Jinping made important remarks, wrapped up the inter-congressional historical achievements and practical experience in this endeavor, made overall plans for the work in the new era, and charted the course and set forth the ground rules for uplifting ecological civilization and building a beautiful China. This is of great historical and practical significance to aligning the thoughts and actions of the whole Party and the whole nation with those of the central authorities, resolutely putting up a tough fight over pollution, and taking the building of ecological civilization in China up to new levels.

The wax and wane of ecological conditions lead to the rise and fall of a civilization. To build ecological civilization is a fundamental policy vital to the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, as the environment is a major political issue that concerns the Party's missions and purposes and a social issue that is of great interest to the people's life. The development courses of either the civilizations of the world or those of the Chinese nation suggest that ecological and environmental changes have a direct impact on the wax and wane of a civilization and an ethnic nation. In this sense, it is imperative to uphold the basic state policy of resource conservation and environmental protection, cherish the environment the way we cherish our life, and resolutely take a civilized development path featured with advanced productivity, affluent life and sound ecological conditions, in an effort to pave the way for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a raft of important remarks, statements, and oral and written instructions on the building of ecological civilization and the ecological and environmental protection, and put forward new theories, thoughts, and strategies, which have addressed the "why, what, and how" questions about ecological civilization and fostered the scientific and systematic Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. Moreover, a series of fundamental and pioneering work addressing the long-term interests have been planned and carried out, and notable progress has been made in promoting ecological progress. With the deepest environmental awareness, unparallelled strength, most effective measures, fastest progress, and best achievements ever, the ecological and environmental protection has undergone historic, transformative, and holistic changes.

In general, the ecological and environmental quality has been constantly improved. However, the progress has not been steady, and the ecological and environmental protection still falls behind the economic and social development, as a weakness in the "five-sphere" integrated plan, and a hot issue that excites the public concern. The development of ecological civilization has entered a period which is under great pressure and heavy weight and critical to providing more quality eco-goods to meet the ever-growing needs of the people for a beautiful environment, and greeted a window of opportunity when we have the means and the ability to address pressing ecological and environmental issues. It is important to face up to and overcome the difficulties and turn the central decisions on building ecological civilization and protecting the environment into road maps and blueprints. 

To advance the ecological progress in a new era, it is imperative to have an in-depth understanding of the major development philosophy that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, always keep to the purpose that good environment is the most inclusive wellbeing for the people, have a scientific understanding of the philosophy that mountain, water, forest, farmland, and lake systems constitute a community of life, and protect the environment with the toughest institutions and most stringent laws. Also, it is important to swiftly put in place an ecological civilization system, promote the green development in all respects, give top priority to addressing public concerns over pressing ecological and environmental problems, effectively guard against ecological and environmental risks, and constantly improve the environmental governance level. Concerted efforts will be made by the whole Party and nation to make sure that by 2035 the ecological conditions and environmental quality will have been fundamentally improved and that the objective of building a beautiful China will have been met; and by the middle of this century, the material, political, cultural, social, and ecological progresses will have been comprehensively uplifted.

It is imperative to put up a tough fight against pollution in order for fulfilling the Party's missions and purposes, and seeking wellbeing for the people. To this end, it is a must to follow the Party leadership, take full advantage of the Party's leadership and the political edges of China's socialist system in which major initiatives are carried out by pooling all resources available, and make greater strides in this regard building on the material wealth cumulative in four decades of reform and opening-up. The local areas and departments should strengthen their "four conscienceness", resolutely safeguard the authority and collective and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and take the political responsibility for developing ecological civilization and protecting the environment. It is important to align the thoughts and actions with the central decisions, focus closely on the changes to the primary contradiction of the society, go all out to address the pressing ecological and environmental problems, constantly meet the needs of the people for a beautiful environment, and revive the blue skies with white clouds, the glittering stars at night, and the swimming fish in shallow waters, enable the people to dine and reside in safety, and preserve the picturesque gardens for the people.

The National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection has sounded a marching order for building the ecological civilization and realizing the dream of building a beautiful China. Let's unit more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, keep to our original aspirations, blaze new trails, and leave a beautiful homeland for future generations and strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

(This English version is for your reference only. In case any discrepancy exists between the Chinese and English context, the Chinese version shall prevail.)