měilì zhōngguó: 美丽中国 - Beautiful China

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”