World Environment Day: Ecological Civilization Ideology Promotion Competition

The US-China Cultural and Artistic Exchange Association will participate in the 3rd "Ecological Civilization Thought Publicity Competition," hosted by the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department and the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment. The competition, themed "Comprehensively Promoting the Construction of a Beautiful Jiangsu," focuses on stories of national priorities such as the protection of the Yangtze River and the governance of Taihu Lake, as well as stories of ecological protection and restoration. The preliminary round will be held on the afternoon of April 26, 2025, on the second floor of Jiangsu Bank in Zhenjiang.

The following is the speech submitted by the US-China Cultural and Arts Exchange Association for a competition:

Respected leaders, judges, and dear friends:

On December 13, 2014, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Zhenjiang and affectionately remarked, "Zhenjiang has a bright future," and particularly praised Yongmaowei Village in Shiye Town, saying, "The scenery here is more beautiful than a painting." The General Secretary's words were not only a praise of Zhenjiang's natural beauty but also a heartfelt expectation for the construction of ecological civilization.

Civilization thrives when the ecosystem thrives, and civilization declines when the ecosystem declines. Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization profoundly points out: "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." The key to realizing this famous saying lies with people. Only when people's hearts are purified can the natural ecological environment be truly protected and improved. Therefore, I want to emphasize that protecting the natural ecology begins with creating a pure ideological and psychological ecological environment.

We have witnessed many heartbreaking examples: once beautiful mountains and rivers have been destroyed by illegal construction and deforestation, leading to water depletion and desertification. This harm to nature stems from the pollution and apathy deep within people's hearts. This serves as a stark reminder that protecting the environment must begin with purifying our inner world.

Pollution affects not only rivers, air, and soil, but also our hearts. When our hearts are consumed by materialism and filled with short-sighted utilitarianism, it becomes difficult for us to truly care about nature and revere life. Therefore, the starting point for building an ecological civilization should be the construction of a healthy mind. As the ancients said, "A pure heart makes the soil pure, pure soil makes the water pure, pure water makes the rivers clear, and clear rivers make the mountains bright."

How can we purify our thoughts and mental environment? First, we must establish correct ecological values. We must deeply study Xi Jinping's thought on ecological civilization and consciously form a green development concept that respects, adapts to, and protects nature. Second, we must cultivate ecological awareness in practice. Whether it's saving every drop of water and reducing the use of disposable items in daily life, or implementing green and environmentally friendly technologies in production and business operations, only when everyone internalizes ecological awareness and puts it into practice can we truly achieve comprehensive progress in ecological civilization.

A touching story once unfolded in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. A young woman, only 23 years old, sacrificed her life to save an injured red-crowned crane. Her sacrifice awakened public awareness of environmental protection and promoted the comprehensive improvement of the Yancheng wetland ecosystem. Today, the Yancheng wetlands have been listed as a World Natural Heritage site.

Let us start with ourselves, starting now, to make our inner world a place of green mountains and clear waters, and our spiritual home a place of birdsong and fragrant flowers. When each of us embraces the green concept of ecological civilization, the pristine beauty of nature will endure.

Friends, let us work together to protect the green mountains and clear waters of Zhenjiang with pure hearts, and create a golden mountain of wealth for each and every one of us with green actions.

Thank you everyone!