?Tourists visit a wetland park on Erhai Lake. Improved sewage management has had a dramatic effect on water quality [CFP]

With the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) having concluded on November 14, a new catchphrase of "building a beautiful China" has spread across the nation. First proclaimed in the political report by the then General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao on the opening day of the Party congress, the concept has outlined a sustainable plan that China will surely adopt in the coming decade and beyond.

Since the late 1970s, when China implemented reform policies and opened up to the outside world, the country has made some remarkable progress in terms of economic growth and social development. Along with these heartening developments, however, some worrisome environmental problems have emerged. Land and waterway pollution, increased scarcity or depletion of natural resources and negative climate changes and natural calamities resulting from unsustainable practices all pose new challenges.

Under these circumstances, China urgently needs to strike a proper balance between faster development and more effective environmental protection.

Hence, the idea of "building a beautiful China" from Hu's report. It identified ecological progress as part of the country's overarching strategy in economic, social and cultural development. By highlighting the concept in the national development roadmap, a clear mandate was given to the ruling Party and the country's 1.3 billion-plus population to follow the crucial task of creating sustainable development models and adopting resourcesaving and environmentally friendly ways of life.

"Building a beautiful China" offers an ideal vision for the country and the Chinese people, envisioning a landscape with fresh air, clean water, clear skies and uncontaminated green land. The concept also reflects the ruling Party's sense of responsibility to the people and its determination to improve their living environment. After all, enhancing the public welfare and collective livelihood has long been the ultimate mission of the CPC, and a prerequisite for boosting China's prosperity as well as its national image.

All citizens are responsible for taking part in the campaign of "building a beautiful China," be they government employees, environmental workers, corporate executives, or the general public. Individuals should join in this national effort by advocating and engaging in environmental protection and conserving all types of resources, whether it is a drop of water or a mere kwh of electricity. Meanwhile, laws and regulations related to the environment and sustainability will be carefully crafted, strictly implemented and closely followed.

The whole nation's combined efforts will only help accelerate the process of turning a beautiful vision into a magnificent reality.