President Xi Jinping urges northeast China officials to make more breakthroughs to restore the region's role as a major heavy industrial hub in the country. (Photo : Reuters)
As part of statements publicized in the wake of President Xi Jinping's first domestic inspection tour of 2015, undertaken in the Yunnan Province, the leader spoke strongly in favor of conservationism, describing the environment as akin to one's "own eyes."
President Xi further developed the analogy, stating that "we should [...] treat the environment in the same way as one treats his own life."
The Chinese leader brought up the topic of environmental preservation during a discussion about economic development, as he had been observing underdeveloped areas that are typical of the ethnic regions of China, in particular, the earthquake-devastated Ludian County.
The president believes that China only has another five to six years to complete the national development process.
Central to President Xi's comments on the environment were the following key recommendations:
"We cannot afford to be penny wise and pound foolish, nor catch one and lose another. . . . We should also not live beyond our means or be more interested in the here and now, while ignoring our long-term interests."
According to Harvard University's Anthony Saich, President Xi Jinping's focus during the slowdown period of the Chinese economy--described by the leader as the "new normal"--is the domestic affairs of his nation.
Saich wrote on Wednesday that the Chinese leader is dedicated to the rejuvenation of his nation so that it can "take its rightful place in the world."
The academic explained that "a cleaner environment," among other changes, such as "less corruption and a stronger military," are included in the Chinese president's priorities.
