On March 24, 2015, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee first proposed the concept of "greenization" in its meeting, adding another item to "New Four Modernizations" proposed by the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee - "New Industrialization, Urbanization, Informatization and Agriculture Modernization". The "New Four Modernizations" has therefore become "New Five Modernizations".

Pu'er City is the first city in China that was approved as the National Green Economy Pilot Demonstration Zone. As "greenization" has been clearly made China's national policy, Pu'er City also put "greenization" as its strategy of invigorating itself. Therefore, as a city which has already launched green development, it is the top political and economic priority for Pu'er City to seize the rare historical opportunity, work pragmatically and responsibly to explore a replicable and generalized green development path through the construction of National Green Economy Pilot Demonstration Zone.

What kind of green development blueprint does Wei Xing, Party Secretary of CPC Pu'er Committe, have in his mind? How will Pu'er construct the construction of National Green Economy Pilot Demonstration Zone?

People's Daily Online: What are the practical conditions and core thinking of Pu'er City on its strategy of "constructing an ecological city and achieving green development"? Why could Pu'er City gain the opportunity to be the first city approved as National Green Economy Pilot Demonstration Zone when all other cities in Yunnan Province also have sound ecological conditions?

Wei Xing: Since the 18th CPC National Congress, Pu'er City has corresponded actively to the green development trend in the world, taken firm hold of the important strategic opportunity that China will make great efforts to develop green economy and enhance eco-civilization construction, fully implemented the instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping that China both needs development and sound environment and sound environment equals development, and firmly established the concept that development is top priority, environmental protection is the most significant achievement, stability is the first responsibility and Party building is the basic guarantee.

With these ideas in mind, Pu'er City clearly proposes that it attaches importance to GDP, but GDP is not its only goal. It emphasizes green and ecological GDP that benefits all the people, not the GDP with blood, poison and smog. It will firmly abandon the growth at the expense of resources, environment and consumption, eradicate the growth by large scale demolition and exploitation, and eliminate the growth by speculations of houses, land and resources. When it achieves a rapid social and economic development, Pu'er City will also preserve its ecological environment and let the beautiful natural scenes to stay in the Godsent Pu'er City forever.

Specifically, Pu'er City will make great efforts to implement green deal, support green production, and advocate green consumption and form a green lifestyle with the features of modern civilization in all walks of life, so as to explore a scientific, green and leaping development path with the characteristics of the times and of Pu'er City where energy conservation and eco-environmental protection could develop in parallel with steady economic growth. Based on such thinking, we make the choice of "constructing an ecological city and achieving green development".

People's Daily Online: In terms of the construction of National Green Economy Pilot Demonstration Zone, what will be relevant in social and economic areas?

Wei Xing: Through the construction of National Green Economy Pilot Demonstration Zone, the following areas will benefit.

Firstly, land development layout will be optimized, including optimization of a regional economic layout, green integration of urban and rural areas, and structuring of an ecological space layout. Secondly, a green production way will be adopted and promoted, including green agriculture, green industry and green service industry. Thirdly, four green industrial bases will be built, i.e. a special bio-industrial base, a clean energy base, a modern forestry industry base and a leisure base. Fourthly, green development will be promoted in all walks of life, including implementing the green deal, establishing a green production and consumption mode, implementing a systemically cyclic strategy, and cultivating a green culture. Fifthly, eco-construction and environmental protection will be enhanced, including enhancing eco-conservation and restoration, improving environmental protection and strengthening eco-environment regulation. Sixthly, infrastructure for green development will be supported, including acceleration of comprehensive transport system, strengthening of water infrastructure construction, and acceleration of sewage and garbage treatment facility system.