Chapter 1
Introduction
Section 1 China's Understanding of Sustainable Development
1.1 Internationally, China endorses the Statement on Sustainable Development adopted by the 15th Session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which reads:
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and does not imply in any way encroachment upon national sovereignty. The Governing Council considers that the achievement of sustainable development involves co-operation within and across national boundaries. Sustainable development implies progress towards national and international equity including assistance to developing countries, in accordance with their national development plans, priorities and objectives. It implies further the existence of a supportive international economic environment that would result in sustained economic growth and development in all countries, particularly in developing countries, which is of major importance for sound management of the environment. It also implies the maintenance, rational use, and enhancement of the national resource base that underpins ecological resilience and economic growth. Sustainable development further implies incorporation of environmental concerns and considerations into development planning and policies, and does represent a new form of conditionality in aid or development financing. (UNEP/GC.15/L.37, Annex II, 1989)
1.2 Nationally, proceeding from her country-specific conditions, China would like to stress her understanding of the nation's sustainable development as comprising the following elements:
Social and economic development are the cornerstone of sustainable development. Experience in history has led us to believe that sustainable development can not be attained when the populace is plagued by backwardness and poverty. China must firmly give priority to the primary task of developing her national economy so as to alleviate poverty and improve the living standards of the people. Economic development, as the nation's central task, is essential to raising social productivity, improving the competence level and living standards of the people, and achieving sustainable management of natural resources and protection of the environment. Economic development constitutes the material foundation for any national undertakings in the country, and is a fundamental guarantee to achieving the co-ordination of population, resources, environment, and economy.
Sustainable utilisation of natural resources and maintaining a viable ecosystem are two of the most important foundations of sustainable development. Economic and social development requires strict control of the population growth, improvement of the competence level, as well as protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources. Therefore, it is a strategic task and a fundamental national policy for China, in the whole process of her socialist construction, to protect the natural resources on which humans depend, such as air, freshwater, oceans, and forests, from environmental pollution and ecological damage.
Sustainable development requires that both the present and the future needs are taken into account, rather than sacrificing the interests of future generations to meet the needs of the present generation. In implementing the strategy of sustainable development, the emphasis for China is to create a new mode of development to replace the traditional ones that have been proven unsustainable. Meanwhile, it is also important to co-ordinate the economic and social development with sustainable use of natural resources and environmental protection so that current development provides a foundation for the future. At the present stage, the nation is effecting two major transformations - one being the economic system transforming from a planned economy to a socialist market economy; the other being the pattern of economic growth transforming from an extensive mode to an intensive mode, so that the national economy and social development can progress in a virtuous circle, in harmony with the nation's environment.
Attitudes and behaviour of the public must be adapted to sustainable development. There must be a holistic understanding of the relationships between humans and nature. The traditional patterns of production and consumption and traditional mode of thinking must be replaced by new awareness, concepts, and knowledge of sustainable development, so as to achieve an overall change in people's attitude and behaviour.
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