%0 Journal Article
%T The Chinese idea of a rooted-in-the-past, green future. The concept of ecological civilization
%A Mikrut-Żaczkiewicz, Agnieszka
%J The Polish Journal of the Arts and Culture. New Series
%V 2022
%R 10.4467/24506249PJ.22.002.16023
%N 15 (1/2022)
%P 29-48
%K ecological civilization, China, People’s Republic of China, ecological crisis, Chinese civilization
%@ 2450-2561
%D 2022
%U https://ejournals.eu/en/journal/pjacns/article/zakorzeniona-w-przeszlosci-chinska-wizja-zielonej-przyszlosci-koncepcja-cywilizacji-ekologicznej
%X 
	At the end of the 20th century, in response to catastrophic environmental pollution and the failure of recovery efforts, the Chinese authorities looked for a model that could serve as an ideological framework for effective, comprehensive actions to protect nature and maintain economic growth – one of the most important goals of the CCP’s policy since the late 1970s. A theoretical and political framework known as „ecological civilization” (shengtai wenming) was developed in response to this desire. As its name implies, this idea integrates ecological discourse with civilizational discourse, situating environmental conservation in the broader context of China’s long-standing heritage and civilizational mission. The idea has also been given a political component, resulting in a globally unique environmental protection program, based on technological and economic development, as well as rooted in classical culture and reliant on an effective central government. The purpose of this article is to highlight the most significant sources of inspiration that shaped the idea of ecological civilisation and to define the fundamental tenets that underpin it.