====== lǜsè jīngjì: 绿色经济 - Green Economy, Sustainable Economy ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 绿色经济, lǜsè jīngjì, green economy in China, sustainable development China, Chinese environmental policy, what is luse jingji, 绿色, 经济, environmental protection China, ecological civilization, carbon neutrality.
  * **Summary:** **绿色经济 (lǜsè jīngjì)** is the Chinese term for "Green Economy," a crucial concept for understanding modern China's national strategy. It refers to an economic model that prioritizes sustainable development, balancing economic growth with environmental protection and resource efficiency. Far from being just a buzzword, it represents a massive, top-down government initiative to shift away from heavy industry towards renewable energy, pollution control, and high-tech, low-carbon industries, impacting everything from global supply chains to daily life in China.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** lǜsè jīngjì
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (Advanced/Topical)
  * **Concise Definition:** An economy that aims for sustainable development without degrading the environment.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **绿色经济 (lǜsè jīngjì)** as China's official plan for "going green." It's the direct translation of "green economy," but with a strong emphasis on state-led policy and national-level projects. It's about fundamentally changing the country's economic structure from a "grow-at-all-costs" mindset to one that values clean air, clean water, and long-term sustainability. This includes massive investments in solar panels, electric vehicles, and high-speed rail, all under the umbrella of creating a more environmentally friendly and economically stable future.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **绿 (lǜ):** This character means "green." It's a simple and direct association with nature, plants, and life. In modern usage, it has taken on the global meaning of being environmentally friendly.
  * **色 (sè):** This character means "color." When combined, **绿色 (lǜsè)** literally means "the color green."
  * **经 (jīng):** This character can mean to manage, to pass through, or classic texts. It's a core component of many words related to structure and management.
  * **济 (jì):** This character can mean to help or to cross a river.
  * **How they combine:** The characters 经 (jīng) and 济 (jì) together form **经济 (jīngjì)**, the standard Chinese word for "economy." The origin relates to the idea of managing society to help people prosper. Therefore, **绿色经济 (lǜsè jīngjì)** is a very literal and modern construction: **Green (绿色) + Economy (经济)**.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * In recent decades, **绿色经济** has become a cornerstone of China's national policy and identity. After a period of rapid industrialization that led to severe environmental problems, the Chinese government has pivoted towards a model it calls "Ecological Civilization" (生态文明, shēngtài wénmíng), with the green economy as its engine. This term signifies a conscious effort to correct the mistakes of the past and position China as a global leader in environmental stewardship.
  * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** While the term "green economy" exists in the West, its implementation and cultural weight differ. In many Western countries, the push for a green economy is often a mix of grassroots activism, consumer demand, and government regulation. In China, **绿色经济** is predominantly a top-down, state-directed initiative. The government sets ambitious national goals (like carbon neutrality by 2060), funds massive infrastructure projects (like the world's largest solar farms), and uses its central authority to enforce environmental regulations. The scale and speed of this state-led transformation are unique to the Chinese context.
  * **Related Values:** This modern concept connects with the traditional Chinese philosophical value of harmony (和谐, héxié), specifically the idea of "harmony between humanity and nature" (天人合一, tiān rén hé yī). Leaders often invoke this ancient wisdom to legitimize and add cultural depth to modern environmental policies, framing the pursuit of a **绿色经济** not as a Western import, but as a return to traditional Chinese values.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **绿色经济** is a formal and official term. You will encounter it constantly in the following contexts:
    * **Government and Media:** It is a staple in government work reports, policy documents, and news broadcasts on state media like CCTV. It's used to describe national goals and achievements.
    * **Business and Investment:** Companies in sectors like renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and environmental technology will frequently use **绿色经济** in their business plans, marketing materials, and annual reports to align themselves with national policy.
    * **Academia:** It is a major subject of research in economics, environmental science, and public policy departments in Chinese universities.
  * **Formality:** Highly formal. While an average person understands the concept, they are more likely to use a simpler term like **环保 (huánbǎo)**, meaning "environmental protection," in casual conversation. Using **绿色经济** shows you are discussing policy, business, or a serious societal issue.
  * **Connotation:** The term carries an overwhelmingly positive connotation. It is associated with progress, modernity, scientific development, national responsibility, and a higher quality of life.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 中国正在大力发展**绿色经济**。
    * Pinyin: Zhōngguó zhèngzài dàlì fāzhǎn **lǜsè jīngjì**.
    * English: China is vigorously developing the green economy.
    * Analysis: This is a very common and official-sounding sentence you would read in a news article. 大力 (dàlì), "vigorously," emphasizes the government's strong commitment.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 发展**绿色经济**是实现可持续发展的必由之路。
    * Pinyin: Fāzhǎn **lǜsè jīngjì** shì shíxiàn kěchíxù fāzhǎn de bìyóuzhīlù.
    * English: Developing the green economy is the only way to achieve sustainable development.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the formal chengyu-like phrase 必由之路 (bìyóuzhīlù), meaning "the inevitable path" or "the only way." This highlights the term's use in high-level, definitive statements.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这家公司专注于投资**绿色经济**相关产业。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī zhuānzhù yú tóuzī **lǜsè jīngjì** xiāngguān chǎnyè.
    * English: This company focuses on investing in industries related to the green economy.
    * Analysis: A typical example from a business context, showing how companies align their strategy with the national focus.
  * **Example 4:**
    * **绿色经济**不仅是环境问题，更是经济结构转型的问题。
    * Pinyin: **Lǜsè jīngjì** bùjǐn shì huánjìng wèntí, gèng shì jīngjì jiégòu zhuǎnxíng de wèntí.
    * English: The green economy is not just an environmental issue, but more so an issue of economic structural transformation.
    * Analysis: This sentence clarifies a key aspect of the concept: it's fundamentally about economics, not just ecology. The "不仅...更是..." (bùjǐn... gèng shì...) structure is common for making such emphatic points.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 推广电动汽车是**绿色经济**的重要组成部分。
    * Pinyin: Tuīguǎng diàndòng qìchē shì **lǜsè jīngjì** de zhòngyào zǔchéng bùfēn.
    * English: Promoting electric vehicles is an important component of the green economy.
    * Analysis: This connects the high-level concept to a tangible, everyday product, showing how policy translates into real-world changes.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 我们需要找到经济增长和环境保护之间的平衡，这就是**绿色经济**的核心。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào zhǎodào jīngjì zēngzhǎng hé huánjìng bǎohù zhījiān de pínghéng, zhè jiùshì **lǜsə jīngjì** de héxīn.
    * English: We need to find a balance between economic growth and environmental protection; this is the core of the green economy.
    * Analysis: This sentence explicitly defines the central goal of the **绿色经济** in plain language.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 许多年轻人希望未来能从事与**绿色经济**相关的工作。
    * Pinyin: Xǔduō niánqīngrén xīwàng wèilái néng cóngshì yǔ **lǜsè jīngjì** xiāngguān de gōngzuò.
    * English: Many young people hope to work in jobs related to the green economy in the future.
    * Analysis: This shows the social impact of the policy, highlighting its influence on career aspirations.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 向**绿色经济**转型需要巨大的投资和技术创新。
    * Pinyin: Xiàng **lǜsè jīngjì** zhuǎnxíng xūyào jùdà de tóuzī hé jìshù chuàngxīn.
    * English: The transition to a green economy requires huge investment and technological innovation.
    * Analysis: This sentence points to the challenges and prerequisites for implementing the green economy, often mentioned in economic analyses.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 太阳能和风能是**绿色经济**的支柱产业。
    * Pinyin: Tàiyángnéng hé fēngnéng shì **lǜsè jīngjì** de zhīzhù chǎnyè.
    * English: Solar and wind energy are the pillar industries of the green economy.
    * Analysis: 支柱产业 (zhīzhù chǎnyè) or "pillar industry" is a strong, descriptive term often used in economic discussions to denote foundational sectors.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 这个论坛的主题是“**绿色经济**与全球合作”。
    * Pinyin: Zhège lùntán de zhǔtí shì “**Lǜsè jīngjì** yǔ quánqiú hézuò”.
    * English: The theme of this forum is "The Green Economy and Global Cooperation."
    * Analysis: This places the term in an international context, reflecting its importance in China's foreign relations and global image.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **It's an Economic System, Not Just "Being Green":** A common mistake for learners is to use **绿色经济** to describe small, individual eco-friendly actions. It's a macro-level term.
    * **Incorrect:** 我去农夫市场买菜，这是我的**绿色经济**。 (Wǒ qù nóngfū shìchǎng mǎi cài, zhè shì wǒ de **lǜsè jīngjì**.) - "I go to the farmer's market to buy vegetables, this is my green economy."
    * **Why it's wrong:** This is grammatically awkward and misuses the term. **绿色经济** refers to the entire economic system, not a personal action.
    * **Correct Alternatives:** For personal actions, you would use words like **环保 (huánbǎo)**, "environmentally friendly," or describe the action itself. For example: "我去农夫市场买菜，这样很环保。" (Wǒ qù nóngfū shìchǎng mǎi cài, zhèyàng hěn huánbǎo.) - "I go to the farmer's market; this is very environmentally friendly."
  * **Distinguishing from `环保 (huánbǎo)`:**
    * **绿色经济 (lǜsè jīngjì):** A formal, large-scale term for the entire economic model of sustainable development. Think policy, industry, and national strategy.
    * **环保 (huánbǎo):** A general, everyday term for "environmental protection." It can be used as a noun or an adjective to describe actions, products, or people. (e.g., 环保袋 huánbǎo dài - reusable bag).
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[生态文明]] (shēngtài wénmíng) - Ecological Civilization. The overarching political and philosophical ideology promoted by the Chinese government, of which the green economy is a key practical component.
  * [[可持续发展]] (kěchíxù fāzhǎn) - Sustainable Development. The ultimate goal of the green economy. This term is used globally and has the same meaning in Chinese.
  * [[环保]] (huánbǎo) - Environmental Protection. A much broader and more common term used in daily life to refer to anything "eco-friendly."
  * [[新能源]] (xīn néngyuán) - New Energy. Refers to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, which are foundational industries for the green economy.
  * [[碳中和]] (tàn zhōnghé) - Carbon Neutrality. A specific, measurable goal within the **绿色经济** framework. China has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2060.
  * [[低碳]] (dī tàn) - Low Carbon. An adjective used to describe a lifestyle, product, or industry that produces low carbon emissions (e.g., 低碳生活 dī tàn shēnghuó - low-carbon lifestyle).
  * [[循环经济]] (xúnhuán jīngjì) - Circular Economy. A related concept focusing on resource recycling and waste reduction, often discussed alongside the green economy.
  * [[金山银山不如绿水青山]] (jīnshān yínshān bùrú lǜshuǐ qīngshān) - "Golden mountains and silver mountains are not as good as green waters and lush mountains." A famous political slogan popularized by Xi Jinping that vividly captures the philosophy behind the shift to a **绿色经济**.