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Abstract
This article assesses the extent to which the official Chinese discourse of Ecological Civilisation (shengtai wenming) is adhered to in practise. Ecological Civilisation (or Eco-Civilisation) is presented as a Chinese vision of human progress which purports to de-couple economic development from environmental degradation. Underpinning the idea are five overlapping pillars (environment, economy, society, culture and governance) which, it is claimed, provide a theoretical framework to promote harmony between humanity and nature. Advocates see the concept as an example of a new Chinese modernity based on socialist values and President Xi Jinping has declared China a torchbearer of the global endeavour for Eco-Civilisation. However, our paper casts doubt over this assertion when applied specifically to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Although there is some evidence of a commitment to the principles of Eco-Civilisation, we identify a number of substantial and interlinking practical shortfalls relating to three core themes: inclusion, enforcement and transparency.
Acknowledgements
This article is based on research conducted for a master’s dissertation at the University of Cambridge Department of Politics and International Studies. The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the interviewees involved in the initial research as well as the anonymous reviewers for their invaluable feedback and suggestions, which contributed to enrich this paper. Further thanks goes to Professor Shaun Breslin (Warwick University) for his advice on this paper.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Robert Weatherley
Robert Weatherley is a lecturer in Chinese politics at University of Cambridge, King’s College London and Tartu University in Estonia. He has written 5 books and numerous articles and book chapters on subjects including, Chinese human rights and democracy, the legitimation of Chinese Communist rule and the legacy of Chinese history on contemporary Chinese nationalism. Robert is also a commercial lawyer with the UK law firm Mills & Reeve where he advises UK companies who wish to invest in China.
Vanessa Bauer
Vanessa Bauer holds a M.St. in International Relations from the University of Cambridge and a B.A. in Intercultural Communications from the University of Milan-Bicocca. Her research interests include sustainability and development studies, environmental policy, linguistics and cultural studies.