kěchíxùfāzhǎn: 可持续发展 - Sustainable Development

• Keywords: 可持续发展, kěchíxù fāzhǎn, sustainable development in China, China's environmental policy, ESG in China, green development China, ecological civilization, Chinese environmental terms.
• Summary: 可持续发展 (kěchíxù fāzhǎn) is the Chinese term for “sustainable development,” a crucial concept in modern China's national strategy. It refers to a model of progress that balances economic growth with environmental protection and social equity, ensuring that the needs of the present are met without compromising the future. This term is central to understanding China's environmental policies, its push for green technology, and its long-term vision for a prosperous and stable society.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kě chíxù fāzhǎn
• Part of Speech: Noun Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 6+
• Concise Definition: Development that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own.
• In a Nutshell: This is the direct equivalent of the English term “sustainable development.” It's a formal and important concept that you will encounter frequently in Chinese news, government reports, and discussions about economics and the environment. It represents the idea of smart, long-term growth that doesn't destroy the planet or create social instability.

• 可 (kě): Meaning “can,” “able to,” or “-able.” It indicates possibility or capability.
• 持 (chí): Meaning “to hold,” “to maintain,” or “to keep.”
• 续 (xù): Meaning “to continue” or “to carry on.”
• 发 (fā): Meaning “to develop,” “to grow,” or “to send out.”
• 展 (zhǎn): Meaning “to expand,” “to unfold,” or “to open up.”

The characters combine in a very logical way. 持续 (chíxù) means “to continue” or “to sustain.” 发展 (fāzhǎn) means “development.” Adding 可 (kě) at the beginning turns the phrase into “can-be-sustained development,” a perfectly literal and clear translation of the concept.

While “sustainable development” is a global concept, its implementation and emphasis in China have a unique character. In many Western countries, the sustainability movement has strong grassroots origins, driven by public awareness and activist groups. In China, 可持续发展 is predominantly a top-down, state-led imperative. It's a cornerstone of national policy, deeply integrated into the government's Five-Year Plans and long-term strategic goals. This state-led approach can be compared to “networking” in the West versus `关系 (guānxi)` in China. While the goal might seem similar (building connections), the underlying system and cultural expectations are different. Similarly, 可持续发展 in China is less about individual consumer choices (like buying organic) and more about massive, state-directed projects: building the world's largest solar farms, leading the electric vehicle market, and re-engineering cities for ecological efficiency. The concept is often linked to the high-level political philosophy of 生态文明 (shēngtài wénmíng) - “Ecological Civilization.” This is a vision for a future where humanity lives in harmony with nature, sometimes framed as a modern interpretation of the traditional Daoist and Confucian value of harmony (和谐, héxié).

This is a formal term used in specific, high-level contexts. You will not hear it in casual daily conversation.

• Government and Policy: This is the term's primary home. It's used constantly in official documents, speeches by leaders, and policy announcements regarding everything from energy to urban planning.
• Business and ESG: Chinese companies, especially large state-owned enterprises and publicly listed firms, frequently publish 可持续发展 reports. This is the Chinese equivalent of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting.
• Academia and News: It is a standard term in academic research, university courses, and news analysis about China's economy and environmental situation.

The connotation is always positive and official. Using this term signals that you are talking about serious, large-scale issues of national or global importance.

• Example 1:
  • 中国政府高度重视可持续发展战略。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó zhèngfǔ gāodù zhòngshì kěchíxù fāzhǎn zhànlüè.
  • English: The Chinese government places great importance on the strategy of sustainable development.
  • Analysis: A very typical sentence you would read in a news article or official report. It shows the term used in a formal, policy-oriented context.
• Example 2:
  • 我们公司的目标是实现经济效益和环境保护的可持续发展。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī de mùbiāo shì shíxiàn jīngjì xiàoyì hé huánjìng bǎohù de kěchíxù fāzhǎn.
  • English: Our company's goal is to achieve sustainable development of both economic benefits and environmental protection.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how the term is used in a corporate or business context, often linked to balancing profit and responsibility.
• Example 3:
  • 可持续发展对我们星球的未来至关重要。
  • Pinyin: Kěchíxù fāzhǎn duì wǒmen xīngqiú de wèilái zhì guān zhòngyào.
  • English: Sustainable development is crucial for the future of our planet.
  • Analysis: A general, powerful statement emphasizing the global importance of the concept.
• Example 4:
  • 这所大学新开设了一门关于可持续发展的课程。
  • Pinyin: Zhè suǒ dàxué xīn kāishè le yī mén guānyú kěchíxù fāzhǎn de kèchéng.
  • English: This university has launched a new course on sustainable development.
  • Analysis: Shows the term's use in an educational setting.
• Example 5:
  • 我们需要找到一条可持续发展的道路。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào zhǎodào yī tiáo kěchíxù fāzhǎn de dàolù.
  • English: We need to find a path of sustainable development.
  • Analysis: Here, the term acts as an adjective modifying “path” (道路). The `的 (de)` connects them.
• Example 6:
  • 城市规划必须考虑到可持续发展的原则。
  • Pinyin: Chéngshì guīhuà bìxū kǎolǜ dào kěchíxù fāzhǎn de yuánzé.
  • English: Urban planning must take the principles of sustainable development into account.
  • Analysis: This highlights its relevance in specific professional fields like architecture and civil engineering.
• Example 7:
  • 转向可再生能源是实现可持续发展的关键一步。
  • Pinyin: Zhuǎnxiàng kě zàishēng néngyuán shì shíxiàn kěchíxù fāzhǎn de guānjiàn yībù.
  • English: Shifting to renewable energy is a key step in achieving sustainable development.
  • Analysis: Connects the broad concept to a specific, practical action.
• Example 8:
  • 可持续发展包括经济、社会和环境三个支柱。
  • Pinyin: Kěchíxù fāzhǎn bāokuò jīngjì, shèhuì hé huánjìng sān gè zhīzhù.
  • English: Sustainable development includes three pillars: economic, social, and environmental.
  • Analysis: This sentence explains the core components of the concept, just as it is defined internationally.
• Example 9:
  • 全球合作对于推动可持续发展目标至关重要。
  • Pinyin: Quánqiú hézuò duìyú tuīdòng kěchíxù fāzhǎn mùbiāo zhì guān zhòngyào.
  • English: Global cooperation is vital for promoting the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
  • Analysis: Shows the term in the context of international relations and global initiatives like the UN's SDGs.
• Example 10:
  • 他们的商业模式不是可持续发展的。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de shāngyè móshì bùshì kěchíxù fāzhǎn de.
  • English: Their business model is not sustainable.
  • Analysis: A practical example of using the term in the negative to criticize a short-sighted approach. Note the use of `的 (de)` to turn it into a descriptive phrase.

• Mistake: Using it in casual conversation. This is a formal, high-level term. You wouldn't say, “我希望我们的友谊能可持续发展” (I hope our friendship can have sustainable development). That would sound very strange and robotic. You'd use a simpler word like `长久 (chángjiǔ)` - long-lasting. Reserve `可持续发展` for “big” topics like policy, the economy, and the environment.
• Nuance: It's more than just “being green.” A common mistake for learners is to equate `可持续发展` with `环保 (huánbǎo)`, or “environmental protection.” While `环保` is a huge part of it, `可持续发展` is a broader concept. It's the synthesis of economic growth, social stability, AND environmental protection. A policy that protects the environment but causes mass unemployment would not be considered `可持续发展`.

• `环保 (huánbǎo)` - Environmental protection. A key component of `可持续发展`, focusing specifically on the ecological aspect.
• `绿色发展 (lǜsè fāzhǎn)` - Green development. A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with `可持续发展` in policy documents to emphasize the environmental and energy aspects.
• `生态文明 (shēngtài wénmíng)` - Ecological Civilization. The overarching political philosophy and national goal within which `可持续发展` is a core strategy.
• `碳中和 (tàn zhōnghé)` - Carbon neutrality. A specific, measurable goal (like China's 2060 target) that falls under the umbrella of `可持续发展`.
• `循环经济 (xúnhuán jīngjì)` - Circular economy. An economic model focused on eliminating waste and reusing resources; a key strategy for achieving `可持续发展`.
• `保护环境 (bǎohù huánjìng)` - To protect the environment. A verb phrase describing an action that contributes to `可持续发展`.
• `发展 (fāzhǎn)` - Development. The root word that `可持续` modifies. Understanding `发展` is key to understanding China's modern history and goals.
• `和谐社会 (héxié shèhuì)` - Harmonious Society. A major political concept focused on social stability and reducing inequality, which aligns with the “social” pillar of sustainable development.