Environmental policy of China at the present stage: continuity and innovation in ecological development

Aim. To identify key directions, goals and instruments of China's environmental policy and their evolution from the mid-20th century to 2024.

Methodology. The research methods includes official documents analysis (laws, regulations, strategies and action plans), comparative analysis and case studies. The key research method was content analysis to understand the priorities and rhetoric of environmental policy dur­ing the Xi Jinping period.

Results. The main periods of development of China's environmental policy are analyzed: from the emergence and gradual inclusion of environmental protection issues in the do­mestic policy of the state in the early 1980s to the active process of adapting national en­vironmental legislation to international standards and the formation of the concept of an ecological civilization in the first quarter of the 21^st century. Key elements of continuity have been identified, such as a centralized approach to environmental management, con­tinuation of implementing long-term programs (the Great Green Wall), sustained attention to struggle with pollution issues, which have remained priorities since the 2000s. Innovative approaches include the usage of digital technologies and big data to monitor the environ­mental situation and manage natural resources. Combining traditional approaches with in­novative solutions allows China to make significant progress in overcoming environmental problems. However, to achieve long-term goals, such as carbon neutrality by 2060, it is necessary to strengthen sustainable development measures, including reducing dependence on coal, which remains the main source of energy, strengthening environmental legisla­tion and monitoring its implementation, especially in remote regions where environmental standards may be poorly enforced.

Research implications. The study reveals the features of adaptation of national environ­mental strategies to global environmental challenges. The Chinese concept of ecological civilization represents a unique approach to sustainable development that can be adapted and studied in other contexts, including Russia.

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