On the 20th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s concept that “clear waters and green mountains are as valuable as gold and silver,” a global public opinion survey conducted by CGTN reflected widespread international agreement with the idea, alongside positive assessments of China’s achievements and contributions to environmental governance and green transformation. China’s image as a global leader, innovator, and practitioner in climate and environmental governance has gained broad recognition.
The survey was jointly conducted by CGTN and Renmin University of China through the New Era International Communication Research Institute. It covered 24,515 respondents from 48 countries, including major developed nations and those in the Global South.
In the survey on China’s environmental governance and green development philosophy, respondents worldwide ranked Xi’s notion of “clear waters and green mountains are as valuable as gold and silver” as the most recognized environmental concept. Additionally, 81.6% agreed that the idea breaks away from the traditional development model of “pollute first, clean up later.” A total of 71.8% positively evaluated China’s ability to combine high-quality economic growth with high-level environmental protection, while 59.9% believed China’s integration of green development into its national Five-Year Plans and its overall economic and social development process is worth emulating by other nations.
Respondents also voiced strong support for China’s efforts in environmental governance and green transition: 68.8% praised the positive impact of large-scale afforestation and greening projects for forest restoration; 66.5% acknowledged China’s initiatives to combat desertification through windbreaks and sand-prevention forest belts; 70.5% highly commended China’s work in strengthening clean energy infrastructure such as wind and solar power; and 69.6% agreed that China actively promotes clean energy use in both daily life and industrial production.
When evaluating China’s role in global climate and environmental governance, respondents ranked the country among the top three as an innovator (49.7%), leader (43.9%), and practitioner (43.5%). Among G7 countries, respondents in the UK and the US gave the highest recognition to China’s leadership role.
In terms of contributions to global climate action, 76.7% said China has effectively controlled greenhouse gas emissions; 79.9% believed it has provided valuable references for energy conservation and emission reduction to other nations; and 75.5% agreed that China’s exports of new energy products have significantly accelerated eco-friendly transitions in partner countries.
Source: Lili-Hashim-Tuhina, China Media Group.