美丽中国

měilì zhōngguó: 美丽中国 - Beautiful China

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: Měilì Zhōngguó, 美丽中国, Beautiful China, China's environment, ecological civilization, Xi Jinping policy, Chinese environmental policy, what is Beautiful China Initiative, sustainable development China.
  • Summary: “Měilì Zhōngguó” (美丽中国), literally “Beautiful China,” is a major national vision and government policy in the People's Republic of China. More than just a descriptive phrase, it represents a strategic shift towards sustainable development, environmental protection, and the construction of an “ecological civilization.” Championed by President Xi Jinping, this initiative aims to integrate environmental health into every aspect of the nation's progress, making it a central pillar of the “Chinese Dream.”

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): Měilì Zhōngguó
  • Part of Speech: Proper Noun / Noun Phrase
  • HSK Level: N/A
  • Concise Definition: A national initiative and vision aimed at creating an environmentally friendly, culturally rich, and sustainable “Beautiful China.”
  • In a Nutshell: Think of “Beautiful China” not just as a comment on nice scenery, but as a formal name for a nationwide project, much like “The New Deal” or “The Great Society” in American history. It's a top-down government policy that signals a move away from the “growth-at-all-costs” model of previous decades. The goal is to build a China where the economy, society, and environment develop in harmony, ensuring clean air, safe water, and preserved natural landscapes for future generations.

Character Breakdown

  • 美 (měi): This character means “beautiful,” “pretty,” or “good.” It is often pictorially explained as a combination of 羊 (yáng) for “sheep” on top of 大 (dà) for “big.” In ancient China, a large, plump sheep was a symbol of beauty and prosperity.
  • 丽 (lì): This character also means “beautiful” or “gorgeous,” often used to describe scenery or a person's appearance. It strengthens the aesthetic quality of the phrase. Together, 美丽 (měilì) is a common and powerful word for “beautiful.”
  • 中 (zhōng): Meaning “middle” or “center,” this character is the first part of the word for China, 中国 (Zhōngguó).
  • 国 (guó): Meaning “country” or “nation.” The outer radical 囗 (wéi) represents borders or a boundary, while the component inside represents the people and land within.
  • When combined, 美丽中国 (Měilì Zhōngguó) literally translates to “Beautiful China,” but as a set phrase, it takes on the specific meaning of the national project to achieve this beauty through policy and action.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • A Pillar of the “Chinese Dream”: The concept of “Beautiful China” was officially elevated to a national goal during the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012. It is a cornerstone of Xi Jinping's overarching vision of the “Chinese Dream” (中国梦), which aims for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. A rejuvenated China, in this view, must be an environmentally healthy one.
  • Shift in National Philosophy: For decades, China's focus was on rapid economic development, which led to severe environmental problems like air and water pollution. The “Beautiful China” initiative marks a profound official shift, prioritizing ecological health alongside economic prosperity. It is encapsulated in the famous slogan, “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” (绿水青山就是金山银山).
  • Comparison to Western Concepts: One might compare “Beautiful China” to the “Green New Deal” in the U.S. or the “European Green Deal.” However, there's a key difference in implementation. While Western green policies are often highly debated political proposals that can change with elections, “Beautiful China” is a state-led, top-down, and deeply integrated national strategy embedded within the ruling party's long-term ideology. It is less of a proposal and more of a national directive, influencing everything from urban planning and energy policy to public education.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Government and Media: The term is ubiquitous in official documents, government work reports, presidential speeches, and state-media headlines (e.g., Xinhua, CCTV). It frames new environmental laws, infrastructure projects (like national parks and “sponge cities”), and international climate commitments.
  • Public Slogans and Propaganda: You will see “美丽中国” on public billboards, in subway posters, and in community campaigns promoting recycling, tree planting, and conservation. It serves as a constant public reminder of the national goal.
  • Corporate and Commercial Use: Businesses, especially in sectors like renewable energy, electric vehicles, eco-tourism, and pollution control, often align their branding and marketing with the “Beautiful China” concept to show they are contributing to the national vision.
  • Informal Conversation: While it's a formal term, ordinary people might use it to refer to government-led environmental efforts. For example: “They built this new wetland park as part of the 美丽中国 initiative.”

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我们要共同努力，建设美丽中国。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen yào gòngtóng nǔlì, jiànshè Měilì Zhōngguó.
    • English: We must work together to build a Beautiful China.
    • Analysis: This is a classic example of how the term is used in official discourse and public slogans, emphasizing collective responsibility.
  • Example 2:
    • 美丽中国的目标是实现人与自然的和谐共生。
    • Pinyin: Měilì Zhōngguó de mùbiāo shì shíxiàn rén yǔ zìrán de héxié gòngshēng.
    • English: The goal of the Beautiful China initiative is to achieve harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
    • Analysis: This sentence explains the core philosophy of the concept, using the formal word 和谐 (héxié), “harmony.”
  • Example 3:
    • 这个国家公园是美丽中国建设的一个典范。
    • Pinyin: Zhège guójiā gōngyuán shì Měilì Zhōngguó jiànshè de yíge diǎnfàn.
    • English: This national park is a model for the construction of a Beautiful China.
    • Analysis: Here, “Beautiful China” is used to describe the tangible outcome of a specific project.
  • Example 4:
    • 政府发布了新的环保政策，以推进美丽中国的进程。
    • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ fābùle xīn de huánbǎo zhèngcè, yǐ tuījìn Měilì Zhōngguó de jìnchéng.
    • English: The government released new environmental policies to advance the “Beautiful China” process.
    • Analysis: This highlights the term's direct connection to government policy-making.
  • Example 5:
    • 实现美丽中国需要我们每个人的参与。
    • Pinyin: Shíxiàn Měilì Zhōngguó xūyào wǒmen měi gèrén de cānyù.
    • English: Achieving a Beautiful China requires the participation of every one of us.
    • Analysis: This sentence shows its use in public education, encouraging individual action like recycling or saving water.
  • Example 6:
    • 美丽中国不仅指生态环境美，也包括城乡生活美。
    • Pinyin: Měilì Zhōngguó bùjǐn zhǐ shēngtài huánjìng měi, yě bāokuò chéngxiāng shēnghuó měi.
    • English: “Beautiful China” refers not only to a beautiful ecological environment but also to a beautiful life in both urban and rural areas.
    • Analysis: This expands the definition, showing that the concept is holistic and includes social well-being.
  • Example 7:
    • 很多外国游客来到中国，想要亲眼看看美丽中国的风景。
    • Pinyin: Hěn duō wàiguó yóukè láidào Zhōngguó, xiǎngyào qīnyǎn kànkan Měilì Zhōngguó de fēngjǐng.
    • English: Many foreign tourists come to China, wanting to see the scenery of “Beautiful China” with their own eyes.
    • Analysis: In this context, it refers to the beautiful landscapes that are a result or goal of the initiative.
  • Example 8:
    • 发展绿色能源是建设美丽中国的关键一步。
    • Pinyin: Fāzhǎn lǜsè néngyuán shì jiànshè Měilì Zhōngguó de guānjiàn yíbù.
    • English: Developing green energy is a key step in building a Beautiful China.
    • Analysis: This links the abstract concept to a specific, practical field of action.
  • Example 9:
    • 学校教育孩子们要爱护环境，为美丽中国做贡献。
    • Pinyin: Xuéxiào jiàoyù háizimen yào àihù huánjìng, wèi Měilì Zhōngguó zuò gòngxiàn.
    • English: Schools teach children to protect the environment and contribute to a Beautiful China.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates how the concept is being instilled in the next generation.
  • Example 10:
    • 在美丽中国的愿景下，许多污染严重的工厂被关闭了。
    • Pinyin: Zài Měilì Zhōngguó de yuànjǐng xià, xǔduō wūrǎn yánzhòng de gōngchǎng bèi guānbì le.
    • English: Under the vision of “Beautiful China,” many heavily polluting factories have been shut down.
    • Analysis: This sentence shows the real-world consequences and tough choices associated with implementing the policy.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • Mistake 1: Treating it as a simple adjective.
    • A common mistake for learners is to think “Měilì Zhōngguó” is just a simple description, like saying “beautiful Italy” or “sunny California.” It is not. It is a proper noun referring to a specific national project.
    • Incorrect: `你看这张照片，真是一个美丽中国！(Nǐ kàn zhè zhāng zhàopiàn, zhēnshi yíge Měilì Zhōngguó!)` - “Look at this photo, it's really a Beautiful China!”
    • Correct: `你看这张照片，中国的风景真美！(Nǐ kàn zhè zhāng zhàopiàn, Zhōngguó de fēngjǐng zhēn měi!)` - “Look at this photo, China's scenery is so beautiful!”
    • Why it's wrong: You use `美丽中国` to talk about the *concept* or the *project*, not to describe a specific scene you are looking at.
  • Mistake 2: Confusing the vision with the reality.
    • “Beautiful China” is an aspirational goal. While significant progress has been made, China still faces serious environmental challenges. It's important to understand the term as a statement of intent and a direction of travel, not necessarily a description of the current, complete reality across the entire country.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 生态文明 (shēngtài wénmíng): Ecological Civilization. This is the core philosophical ideology underpinning the “Beautiful China” initiative. It posits that environmental health is a key measure of a civilization's advancement.
  • 中国梦 (zhōngguó mèng): The Chinese Dream. The broader national vision of rejuvenation, of which “Beautiful China” is a crucial environmental and social component.
  • 绿水青山就是金山银山 (lǜ shuǐ qīng shān jiùshì jīnshān yínshān): “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” A famous quote from Xi Jinping that serves as the most popular slogan for the “Beautiful China” philosophy, arguing that environmental protection is itself a form of economic wealth.
  • 环境保护 (huánjìng bǎohù): Environmental Protection. This is the general term for the practical actions and policies (like pollution control, conservation) needed to realize the “Beautiful China” vision.
  • 可持续发展 (kě chíxù fāzhǎn): Sustainable Development. The economic model that the “Beautiful China” initiative promotes, balancing growth with environmental and social responsibility.
  • 天人合一 (tiān rén hé yī): Harmony between Heaven (Nature) and Humanity. A classical Chinese philosophical concept that provides a deep cultural root for modern ideas like “Ecological Civilization” and “Beautiful China.”