Long Guoqiang, director-general of the General Office of the Development Research Center of the State Council, attended the Press Conference and Symposium of China Green Development Index Report 2011 on Dec 15, 2012.

Long Guoqiang (second from right), director-general of the General Office of the Development Research Center of the State Council, attends the Press Conference and Symposium of China Green Development Index Report 2011.

Long delivered a speech at the conference and pointed out that some environmentalists have misunderstandings on ecological civilization. Some of them object to economic development for the sake of protecting the environment. However, experiences from different countries show that, though less developed countries enjoy better ecological environments, human habitats in developed countries are more livable.

Therefore, there is no need to hold back economic development to build a beautiful China. It is important to find a new way that can balance economic and social development with environmental protection.